The Calcutta High Court dismissed Sandip Ghosh’s petition to postpone charges in a financial irregularities case from his tenure as RG Kar Medical College principal. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh ruled against interference with the CBI court’s order. As the trial proceeds, Ghosh remains under scrutiny amid ongoing investigations into financial misconduct.
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition by Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, seeking to postpone the framing of charges in a financial irregularities case during his tenure.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, while dismissing the petition, ruled that orders passed by the special CBI court at Alipore cannot be interfered with by the high court. Ghosh had approached the court praying for a delay in the framing of charges, but the additional solicitor general (ASG) Asok Kumar Chakrabarti, representing the CBI, opposed the request.
ALSO READ: BREAKING | RG-Kar Rape-Murder: Prime Accused Sanjay Roy Found Guilty By Kolkata Court
The ASG argued that Ghosh’s recalling application was not maintainable before the high court. He further informed the court that while three of the five accused in the case have filed discharge applications, Ghosh has not done so.
Ghosh was the principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital when a medic was raped and murdered inside its seminar room on August 9 last year, sparking outrage across the country. Although the case before the court pertains to financial irregularities, his tenure remains under intense scrutiny.
The CBI was handed over the investigation in the financial irregularities case following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The probe was initiated based on a petition filed by Dr. Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of the hospital, who alleged financial misconduct during Ghosh’s tenure.
The special CBI court at Alipore was scheduled to begin the hearing for framing of charges on Wednesday but adjourned the session to Thursday. Framing of charges is a crucial stage in criminal proceedings, where a court formally accuses an individual based on prima facie evidence presented by the prosecution.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed the special court to expedite the process, stating that charges should be framed within one week from the next date of hearing. It also instructed the court to consider the list of witnesses and fix the trial schedule accordingly, ensuring a swift and logical conclusion to the case.
As part of its probe, the CBI submitted all relevant documents to the special court last week. On September 2 last year, Ghosh and four others were arrested in connection with the financial misconduct allegations.
With the Calcutta High Court refusing to delay proceedings, the case is now set to move forward, bringing Ghosh and other accused closer to trial.
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES