Nirmal Ghosh arrested in Sambalpur over RG Kar cremation case
Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh was arrested in Sambalpur over alleged involvement in the hurried cremation of the RG Kar rape‑murder victim.
Why was Nirmal Ghosh arrested?
West Bengal Police arrested former Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh from Sambalpur, Odisha, on Thursday over his alleged role in the hurried cremation of the RG Kar rape‑murder victim. Police said Ghosh had been untraceable for days and was being brought back to West Bengal by road to be produced before the Barrackpore court in North 24 Parganas district on Friday. The arrest follows a fresh FIR registered on Monday by the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate at Khardah Police Station based on a complaint by the victim’s father.
What does the fresh FIR allege?
The FIR names Nirmal Ghosh, former TMC MLA and former chief whip; Somnath Dey, Panihati Municipality Councillor; and Sanjeev Mukherjee, a neighbour of the victim’s family. It charges them with wrongful restraint, disappearance of evidence, framing of incorrect records by a public servant, criminal trespass and showing disrespect to human corpses. Police inquiries at the Panihati crematorium revealed irregularities: the victim’s body was rushed for final rites ahead of two waiting bodies, standard cremation charges were unexpectedly waived and the authorisation forms were signed by neighbours instead of the victim’s parents or immediate family.
What has been the reaction?
BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said, “The Mamata Banerjee‑led government had tried to stall the probe and made every attempt to jeopardise it, including preventing names of its party leaders from featuring in the FIRs. That will not happen anymore. Law will take its own course and all those who are behind this crime will face justice.” Ghosh’s daughter Chanda Ghosh told the media, “We did not know where he was. For the past two months, he has not been staying at home. The police have repeatedly asked us about his whereabouts, but we simply do not know.” She added, “My father was an MLA and always stood by the families of the dead, no matter who they were in Panihati. He has consistently cooperated with the investigation. The police deemed it necessary to arrest him, so he was taken into custody. We will pursue legal action. We plan to appeal to the Chief Minister, requesting that he also consider our family.” Dipanita Ghosh, the daughter‑in‑law, said, “We learned about the arrest through the news. Until we have a chance to meet him, we cannot comment further. My father‑in‑law left home a long time ago and did not contact us or inform us of his whereabouts.” She also noted, “We trust that the police will carry out their duties with the support of the state administration. He is unwell and 80 years old, so we hope the authorities will take that into consideration. We have never discussed his work or the RG Kar issue with him.”
Dr Asfakulla Naiya, a leader of the junior doctors’ movement, said, “It’s good that fresh arrests are taking place. But we still do not have any clarity on what happened on the intervening night of August 8-9, 2024, when that horrible crime took place. We have reasons to believe that the real investigation is being inordinately delayed.”
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who ordered the fresh probe on August 8, the second death anniversary of the victim, stated, “There is a mystery why no charge was taken for the cremation of the victim’s body. Why was the victim’s body cremated without the signature of any family member? All these will be probed again. Within the limited jurisdiction I have in this case, I am committed to that cause. We have not forgotten Abhaya (the symbolic name accorded to the victim), not forgotten her at all.”
What happens next?
Ghosh is expected to be produced before the Barrackpore court on Friday. The fresh probe runs parallel to the ongoing CBI investigation. The victim’s father’s complaint alleges that the accused were present at his house where the body was first brought and exerted pressure on the family to quickly take it to the crematorium despite their unwillingness. Police will continue to examine the cremation irregularities and any further evidence.
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Who was arrested in the RG Kar case and where?
Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh was arrested from Sambalpur, Odisha.
Why was Nirmal Ghosh arrested?
He was arrested over alleged involvement in the hurried cremation of the RG Kar rape‑murder victim, based on a fresh FIR filed by the victim’s father.
What charges are included in the fresh FIR against Ghosh and others?
The FIR includes wrongful restraint, disappearance of evidence, framing of incorrect records by a public servant, criminal trespass and showing disrespect to human corpses.
What irregularities did police find at the Panihati crematorium?
The victim’s body was rushed ahead of two waiting bodies, standard cremation charges were waived and authorisation forms were signed by neighbours instead of the parents.
What did the victim’s father allege in his complaint?
He alleged that the accused were present at his house where the body was first brought and exerted pressure on the family to quickly take it to the crematorium despite their unwillingness.
What did BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar say about the arrest?
He said the Mamata Banerjee‑led government had tried to stall the probe and would now ensure justice.
What did Nirmal Ghosh’s family say about his whereabouts?
His daughter said they did not know where he was for the past two months; his daughter‑in‑law said they learned of the arrest from the news and he had not contacted them.
What did junior doctors’ leader Dr Asfakulla Naiya say about the investigation?
He said fresh arrests are welcome but the community still lacks clarity on the night of August 8‑9, 2024 and believes the real investigation is being delayed.
What did Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari say about the fresh probe?
He ordered an independent investigation on the second death anniversary of the victim, said he is committed to uncovering the truth and that the victim’s symbolic name Abhaya has not been forgotten.
What is the status of the convicted perpetrator in the RG Kar case?
A 33‑year‑old civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was convicted of the rape and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Debraj Meher
District Correspondent, Sambalpur
Debraj Meher reports on Sambalpur district's civic affairs, the Hirakud dam command area, and the region's handloom economy. He has been the Mirror's Sambalpur correspondent since 2021.
View all articles by Debraj →
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