CBI conducts raids at former principal's residence in Kolkata hospital corruption investigation

PTC News Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at 15 locations on Sunday, including the premises of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. These searches are part of an ongoing investigation into a corruption case recently registered by the agency.

The raids come a day after the CBI filed a case alleging financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College, where a trainee doctor was tragically raped and murdered on August 9. The investigation into the financial misconduct was transferred to the CBI from a special investigation team (SIT) formed by the West Bengal government, following an order from the Calcutta High Court.

The High Court's directive for a CBI investigation was prompted by a petition from Akhtar Ali, the former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College, who accused Sandip Ghosh of financial misconduct during his tenure as principal.

Previously, the Calcutta High Court had ordered the CBI to take over the investigation into the rape and murder case of the trainee doctor. The court has now extended the CBI's jurisdiction to include the corruption allegations as well.

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In his order, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj stated, "This Court directs that the investigation be transferred to the CBI, given that the case involves serious allegations. Multiple agencies handling different aspects of the case could lead to inefficiencies, unnecessary delays in the judicial process, and potential misinterpretation of information. Therefore, the investigation should not be fragmented between different agencies. Handing over the investigation to the CBI ensures consistency and effective enforcement."

The High Court has instructed the CBI to provide a progress report on its investigation within three weeks.

On Saturday, Sandip Ghosh, along with four others, underwent polygraph tests at the CBI's office in Kolkata. Specialists from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Delhi conducted these tests.

In addition to Ghosh, lie detection tests were also administered to two doctors, an intern, and a hospital staff member who were on duty the night the trainee doctor was raped and murdered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College.

Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder case. The CBI plans to conduct a polygraph test on him today.

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