Kolkata Court Orders Police Custody for Five Accused in RG Kar Lift Incident Until April 1
Synopsis
In a significant ruling, a Kolkata court has mandated police custody for five individuals implicated in the tragic lift accident at RG Kar Medical College. The court's decision follows arguments regarding negligence and responsibility surrounding the incident, which resulted in a fatality.
Key Takeaways
Five individuals, including lift operators, are in police custody due to a fatal lift accident.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures at public facilities.
The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on negligence and accountability.
Family of the victim is seeking justice through legal channels.
The court has denied bail requests for the accused until April 1.
Kolkata, March 28 (NationPress) A Kolkata court has ruled that five individuals, detained in connection with the lift incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, will remain in police custody until April 1, according to sources on Saturday.
The detained include three lift operators and two security personnel.
During the court proceedings, the defense argued that the unfortunate event was accidental and devoid of any criminal intent. They highlighted the presence of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police officials at the scene, questioning why only these five individuals faced arrest. One attorney claimed his client was stationed in the operation theatre and questioned his relevance to the case. Bail applications were submitted for all five detainees.
In counterarguments, the public prosecutor stated that while the lift operators possessed specific responsibilities and valid licenses, they reportedly abandoned their duties, leaving the lift unsupervised. The prosecution also pointed out delays in opening the lift doors and called into question the lack of accountability.
Subhajyoti Dutta, representing the victim's family, asserted that no operator on duty could evade responsibility in a lift-related tragedy. He characterized the incident as a failure of care and insisted that all individuals present, including police and CISF officers, should be subject to investigation.
After considering both arguments, the court denied the bail petitions and ordered the accused to remain in police custody until April 1.
The tragic event occurred on March 20, when 41-year-old Arup Banerjee visited the hospital with his young son. Early that day, he was discovered injured inside a faulty lift at the trauma care center and was subsequently pronounced dead.
The initial post-mortem findings indicated multiple injuries, including fractures to limbs and ribs, alongside severe internal damage to vital organs.
Hospital superintendent Saptarshi Chatterjee reported that the victim's father had lodged a formal complaint, which was submitted to the Tala Police Station. A case of culpable homicide has been filed, with the Homicide Branch of Kolkata Police currently investigating the situation.
To date, five individuals have been apprehended in this case.
The ruling was issued on Friday, with the documentation available by Saturday morning.
Point of View
The investigation seeks to uncover the full scope of negligence and responsibility, underscoring the need for stringent safety measures.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the RG Kar lift incident?
A tragic lift accident occurred at RG Kar Medical College, resulting in the death of a 41-year-old man. Five individuals, including lift operators and security guards, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
What is the court's decision regarding the accused?
A Kolkata court has ordered the police custody of the five accused until April 1, following arguments about their negligence and responsibility during the incident.
Who is investigating the lift tragedy?
The Homicide Branch of Kolkata Police is investigating the lift incident after a formal complaint was lodged by the victim's family.
What injuries did the victim sustain?
The preliminary post-mortem report indicated that the victim suffered multiple injuries, including fractures and severe internal damage.
Were there any safety personnel present during the incident?
Yes, personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police were present at the time of the incident.
