Along with Ghosh, his security guard Afsar Ali and contractors Biplab Sinha and Suman Hazra have also been remanded in judicial custody until the same date. The CBI has indicated that it may seek additional custody if necessary.
Kolkata: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court today (10th Sept) ordered Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, to be held in judicial custody until September 23. Ghosh faces allegations of financial misconduct from his tenure.
Along with Ghosh, his security guard Afsar Ali and contractors Biplab Sinha and Suman Hazra have also been remanded in judicial custody until the same date. The CBI has indicated that it may seek additional custody if necessary.
This case is part of a broader investigation into a recent rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which has sparked protests. The CBI, having taken over the investigation from the Kolkata Police on August 13 following a Calcutta High Court order, is looking into both the financial irregularities and any potential links to the victim’s death.
Charges Against Ghosh
Dr. Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of the hospital, had lodged multiple complaints of financial irregularities during Sandip Ghosh’s tenure as principal. Ali’s plea before the high court accused Ghosh of several illegal activities, including the sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking in biomedical waste, and awarding tenders in exchange for commissions from medicine and medical equipment suppliers.
Additionally, Ali alleged that students were coerced into paying amounts ranging from Rs 5 to 8 lakh to pass their exams.
The CBI had previously named Ghosh in the FIR related to its investigation. This FIR was filed after the CBI took over the probe from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was initially formed by the West Bengal government following the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic on August 9.
The charges against Ghosh include Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy, Section 420 IPC for cheating and dishonesty, and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) for the unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant.
Ghosh served as principal of RG Kar Hospital from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from the position in October of that year, but unexpectedly returned to the role within a month.
Following the revelation of the crime, Ghosh was removed from RG Kar Hospital. However, he was transferred as principal at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital by the Mamata Banerjee government. Subsequently, amid widespread protests and while the corruption inquiry was ongoing, Ghosh was placed on indefinite leave.
Kolkata Rape-Murder: Ex-Principal Sandip Ghosh Under Scrutiny
A month ago, the body of a female medic was discovered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, with evidence pointing to rape and murder. The investigation has uncovered significant issues within the hospital.
The CBI took over the probe from the Kolkata Police on August 13, following a Calcutta High Court order. It emerged that former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh had ordered the demolition of a restroom and toilet near the crime scene on August 10, potentially destroying crucial evidence.
As the investigation progressed, allegations of financial misconduct during Ghosh’s tenure came to light. Dr. Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent, has called for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into Ghosh’s financial dealings, suggesting a possible link between the corruption and the victim’s death, possibly because she might have known about and threatened to expose the misconduct.
On August 23, the Calcutta High Court transferred the financial irregularities investigation from the state’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI. After several days of questioning, the CBI arrested Ghosh on September 2 for his alleged financial irregularities.
Protests Continues
On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected Sandip Ghosh’s petition challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation into financial irregularities to the CBI. Ghosh had also sought the removal of certain comments made by the high court, which the Supreme Court denied.
Protests continue in Kolkata and other areas over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has faced criticism from the BJP and other parties, as well as from the victim’s parents, after she urged people to return to “pujo” celebrations, referring to the upcoming Durga Puja festival.
On Monday, Banerjee said, “It has been a month since the August 9 incident. I request you to return to pujo, return to the festivities, and ask the CBI to ensure justice as soon as possible.”
In response, the victim’s parents told media,
“We celebrated Durga Puja with our daughter. We will not celebrate Durga Puja or any other festival for years to come. Her remarks are insensitive.”
BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticized Banerjee, accusing her of treating people as if they were mere puppets.
He posted on X,
“Do you think people will stop protesting and celebrate when you ask them to? The pujo fortnight hasn’t even started yet, and the demon is yet to be slain. Be patient; the Mother’s power has awakened, and it will cleanse Bengal.”
