Manoj Kumar Verma is new police commissioner of Kolkata after Vineet Goyal’s dismissal | Nation

PTC Web Desk: In a major reshuffle, IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma has been appointed as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner after Vineet Goyal was removed from the post. The decision came after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met junior doctors protesting against the manner in which the investigation into the sexual assault and murder of a junior doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata was being conducted.

Vineet Goyal, who was under surveillance for his role in the case, has now been appointed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police.

Manoj Kumar Verma, a 1998-batch officer, was previously the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) (Law and Order) in the West Bengal Police. He has also served as Commissioner of Police, Barrackpore and Deputy Director, Directorate of Security. His new appointment comes at a critical time, given the ongoing protests by medical professionals and the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

The junior doctors, who have been protesting outside Swasthya Bhavan, the state’s health centre, since September 10, had demanded Vineet Goyal’s sacking. They are not satisfied with the investigation into the sexual abuse and murder of the junior doctor, whose half-naked body was discovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The deputy police commissioner of Kolkata (North) is also to be replaced after the victim’s family raised allegations of bribery.

In addition to changes within the police force, the state’s Director of Medical Education Kaustav Naik and Director of Health Services Debashis Halder have also been relieved of their duties in connection with the ongoing protests and demands for accountability.

Manoj Verma is a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in handling sensitive issues. He has worked in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal, which was a hub of Maoist activities in the past, and led successful operations against insurgents as Superintendent of Police (SP).

– With contributions from agencies