The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday night arrested Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with irregularities in accounting at the Kolkata medical institution. Three others after his security guard Afsar Ali and hospital suppliers Biplav Sinha and Sumana Hazara Ali have also been arrested.
Why was Sandip Ghosh arrested?
The case comes nearly three weeks after a doctor was found raped and murdered in the hospital's seminar hall. Sandip Ghosh has come under intense scrutiny after the Calcutta High Court ruled that he should have been questioned first in connection with the murder case. The victim's family subsequently accused Sandip Ghosh of trying to make the murder look like a suicide. The Supreme Court also spoke critically about his role after the crime was discovered.
The CBI questioned Sandip Ghosh every day for 15 days.
Ghosh served as the principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from RG Kar in October that year but inexplicably returned to the post within a month. He maintained his position at the hospital till the day the doctor was found dead.
The investigation against Sandip Ghosh in the financial irregularities case was launched based on the confession of his former colleague Dr. Sandip Ghosh. It was initiated by Akhtar Ali. The latter alleged that Ghosh was involved in corruption.
He claimed that an investigation was also launched last year. But he was transferred the same day he submitted his report. In his arguments before the Supreme Court, Akhtar Ali accused Sandip Ghosh of illegally selling unclaimed bodies, handling biomedical waste and taking part in commission tenders from suppliers of medicines and medical equipment.
He alleged that Ghosh pressured students to pay Rs 500,000 to Rs 800,000 to pass their exams.
In an FIR filed on the directions of the Calcutta High Court, the CBI has accused Ghosh and three Kolkata-based private companies; Ishan Cafe, Belgachia and Karma Rooha on 4/1.
The agency has filed the FIR against Ghosh and the private companies under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Earlier, the CBI had arrested Sanjay Roy, the main accused in the rape and murder of the doctor. The woman was seen entering the seminar venue at 4:03 a.m. while she was asleep in her room.
Her autopsy revealed that she had been raped, beaten and strangled.
Roy reportedly maintained that he was innocent and that the woman was already unconscious when he entered the seminar venue.
