Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Is Mamata Banerjee's CBI call amid alleged probe negligence a signal of her waning authority? 

Mamata Banerjee recently announced that she would welcome a CBI probe into the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has long been recognized as a shrewd and formidable politician. Her resilience and determination in toppling the 35-year Left Front rule in West Bengal, culminating in her historic rise to power in 2011, are etched in India’s political history. Banerjee has consistently opposed the involvement of central investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate, often decrying them as tools of the BJP-led central government used to harass opposition leaders—including members of her own party, such as her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. 

However, in a striking and uncharacteristic turn of events, Mamata Banerjee recently announced that she would welcome a CBI probe into the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College if the West Bengal police failed to solve the case within seven days. This statement marks a significant departure from her usual defiance against central intervention. The very next day, the Calcutta High Court took the unprecedented step of transferring the case to the CBI, underscoring the gravity of the situation. 

Banerjee’s sudden openness to a CBI investigation is deeply revealing. It is the first time since she took office in 2011 that the TMC chief has publicly acknowledged, even implicitly, the shortcomings of the state police force. This rare admission suggests that she may be losing her grip on the administration, a startling shift for a leader known for her ironclad control over the state’s affairs. Banerjee’s reversal on the CBI, long her adversary, is not just a reflection of the severity of the crime but also a telling indicator of the increasing cracks in her governance. 

Grand Cover Up? 

The police’s initial handling of the case was gravely flawed and there are several irregularities that point to a broader pattern of negligence and possible complicity within the administration.

For instance, the victim’s family was initially led into believing that their daughter had died by suicide, delaying their understanding of the true nature of the crime and hindering their pursuit of justice. Furthermore, the police reportedly failed to disclose the postmortem findings. The autopsy, which revealed that the victim had been brutally raped and murdered, was not adequately communicated to the family or the public, fueling suspicions of a cover-up.

The arrest of only one individual, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, raises serious concerns. Despite the family’s claims that Roy had been hired to kill their daughter, the police did not thoroughly investigate this angle. The lack of a comprehensive probe into potential conspirators suggests a deliberate attempt to downplay the severity of the crime.

Moreover, the police failed to question the medical superintendent of the medical college, Dr. Subir Ghosh, who had previously victim-shamed the deceased doctor. This individual was simply handed a transfer order, a move that appears to be an attempt to shield him from accountability.

The decision to involve the CBI was taken after immense public pressure, underscoring the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice for the victim and restore public trust in the state’s governance.

Mamata Losing Control Over Administration 

Mamata Banerjee’s recent admission that insiders might be involved is an acknowledgment of the failure within her own administration, particularly the police force that was initially handling the probe. This rare concession, coupled with her announcement that she would welcome a CBI probe if the police fail to deliver results, signals a significant erosion of her control over governance.

This incident is not the first time West Bengal’s police force has faced allegations of mishandling sensitive cases. Over the years, the TMC government, under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, has seen a noticeable decline in the integrity and effectiveness of the state police, particularly in high-profile cases where political bias has been glaringly evident. The reality appears to be that the Trinamool Congress is increasingly divided, with two distinct camps emerging—one led by Mamata Banerjee herself, and the other by her ambitious nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. Notably, Abhishek was quick to demand swift justice in this case, taking a firm stand before his aunt publicly addressed the issue. 

This growing division within the TMC has only added to the perception that Mamata Banerjee is losing her grip on both the party and the administration. In a state where public trust in law enforcement is rapidly waning, the call for a CBI probe has become a default reaction in high-profile cases. By pre-emptively signaling her willingness for a CBI investigation, Mamata appears to be playing it safe, perhaps recognizing the mounting dissatisfaction among government officials, many of whom are disillusioned by issues like the non-payment of DA at central rates. 

Mamata Banerjee’s reluctant decision to involve the CBI shows signs of a leader struggling to maintain control in the face of growing dissent and administrative challenges. 

Uproar Effect 

The brutal rape and murder incident sparked an unprecedented outcry from both the medical fraternity and civil society. The uproar from medical students was not confined to West Bengal; it resonated nationwide. Doctors and medical students staged protests, threatening to halt their work in emergency and other critical sectors. The ripple effect was seen in states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Mamata Banerjee, recognizing the disastrous implications of a prolonged medical strike, understood that the only way to quell the unrest was to signal her commitment to an unbiased investigation.

Politically, Mamata Banerjee remains strong, but recent electoral trends have shown vulnerabilities. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite TMC’s overall success in Kolkata, the BJP outperformed the TMC in several key wards. With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on the horizon, Mamata cannot afford to lose the support of Kolkata—a city whose political pulse often dictates the state’s direction. The student and civil society protests threatened to erode her base, making it imperative for her to act decisively. 

Civil society has been a cornerstone of Mamata’s political journey, particularly in her rise to power through the Singur and Nandigram movements. This time, however, even sections of the pro-TMC civil society turned against her, taking to the streets in protest. Faced with mounting pressure and the specter of losing her hard-earned credibility, Mamata Banerjee had to demonstrate that she was an unbiased leader committed to justice. 

Mamata’s history with cases like the Park Street rape, where she dismissed the incident as orchestrated, has left a stain on her record. However, the gravity of the RG Kar case shook even her political instincts, compelling her to concede to a CBI investigation—a rare move that reflects the enormous pressure she faced from all quarters. The decision was not merely a response to demands for justice but a calculated effort to preserve her political legacy in a state that has seen her rise from the streets to the seat of power.