CBI questions former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh in 2024 RG Kar rape-murder case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday questioned former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Panihati, Nirmal Ghosh, in connection with the rape and murder of a 31-year-old resident doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024.

The questioning follows a petition filed on May 13, 2026, by the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, now a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Panihati, in a Sealdah court seeking the arrest of Mr. Ghosh, local TMC councillor Sanjib Mukhopadhyay, and another party functionary, Somnath Das.

CBI officials said Mr. Ghosh was questioned over allegations by the victim’s family that he and his associates attempted to hasten the cremation of the victim’s body to prevent a second autopsy. The family also alleged that the cremation was carried out without the necessary documents being handed over to them.

On Wednesday, a CBI team visited the crematorium where the victim was cremated. The agency has been investigating the case since 2024, and earlier questioned Mr. Ghosh in September 2024 over similar allegations.

Reacting to the development, Ms. Debnath said her “hope for justice” for her daughter had been revived with the CBI becoming more active in the case. She recounted events on August 10, 2024, claiming that while she and her husband were at Tala police station awaiting a second autopsy, she learned that Mr. Ghosh, Mr. Das, and Mr. Mukhopadhyay had taken her daughter’s body back to their home and were preparing to take it to the crematorium. She alleged that the three leaders later pressurised the family and took the body to the crematorium without consent, with heavy police presence. She demanded their arrest for allegedly attempting to tamper with evidence.

The CBI has not yet made any arrests in connection with the cremation-related allegations. The investigation continues.