CBI arrests former R G Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh over ‘financial misconduct’

The CBI had been questioning Ghosh, 53, for the past 15 days in connection with the rape-murder as well as the alleged corruption, both of which happened when he was the hospital’s administrator.

Within an hour of the arrest, the CBI arrested three others — Ghosh’s security guard Afsar Ali Khan and two hospital vendors, identified as Biplav Singha (52) and Sumon Hazra (46).

The corruption investigation against Ghosh was initiated following a petition filed by Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent at RG Kar, in the Calcutta High Court after the rape-murder of the junior doctor on August 21.

Accusing Ghosh of embezzlement of government funds, trafficking of biomedical waste, nepotism and violation of procurement laws, Ali had sought a probe by the Enforcement Directorate. On August 23, the High Court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team to the CBI and asked Ghosh to proceed on leave.

Ghosh was the principal of R G Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023, when he was transferred to Murshidabad Medical College on an earlier complaint filed by Ali with state vigilance.

While Ali too was transferred out, Ghosh was reinstated within a month as principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, a position he held until August 12 when he resigned following protests over the rape and murder. His removal was one of the primary demands of the protesting resident doctors and junior doctors.

But within hours of his resignation, Ghosh was reinstated by the state government as principal of the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.

However, following protests, he was asked by the High Court to proceed on leave.

On August 24, the CBI filed an FIR under section 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (fraud) and Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act in which it named Ghosh, Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jhorehat in Howrah, Eshan Cafe at Belgachia and Khana Louha.

Reacting to Ghosh’s arrest, the father of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered said, “While I’m relieved by the CBI’s arrest, there’s no true solace. I would still say there is nothing to celebrate for me. However, we welcome the arrest.”

TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen, a doctor himself, said, “When I joined as chairman of RG Kar Rogi Kalyan Samiti in February 2023, I had taken out details of all corruption charges against him and had tried to stop him. I had also informed the Health Secretary but no step was taken. Had the right steps been taken at the right time, we wouldn’t have had to see all this,” he said.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said, “People of Bengal wanted his arrest… The CBI has honoured the demand of the people of Bengal and hence I express my gratitude.”