Former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh appeals to Supreme Court to block CBI corruption probe

PTC News Desk: Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Calcutta High Court order that directed a CBI investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure. The plea is set to be heard on September 6 by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

This development comes amid increased scrutiny of Ghosh following the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in the seminar hall of the medical college.

On Tuesday, a Kolkata court remanded Ghosh and three others to CBI custody for eight days as part of the ongoing probe into the financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had initially requested a 10-day custody, arguing that there is a "large nexus" involved in the corruption case that requires further investigation.

"We have just arrested four people. There is a large nexus that needs to be exposed, and hence we are asking for their interrogation. We need their custody to unearth the entire nexus," the CBI told the Alipore Judges Court.

Also Read: Delhi's Govindpuri rocked by sexual assault case; paramilitary forces deployed amid protests

Ghosh, who was arrested by the CBI on Monday night, was reportedly assaulted while being produced in court on Tuesday. The agency has charged Ghosh under several sections, including Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy), Section 420 IPC (cheating and dishonesty), and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Ghosh has been under interrogation by the CBI since August 16 in connection with both the alleged rape and murder of the trainee doctor and the financial irregularities.

In response to the ongoing investigation, the West Bengal state health department issued an order on Tuesday placing Ghosh under suspension. The order stated, "In view of the ongoing criminal investigation against Prof (Dr) Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Ghosh is placed under suspension under rule 7(1c) of West Bengal Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules 1971 with immediate effect."

Also Read: Indian-origin grandfather dies following assault in UK; five minors arrested