Kolkata doctor murder: CBI arrests former Principal of RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh
PTC Web Desk: Sandip Ghosh, former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following an extensive two-week interrogation. His arrest is linked to allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure, which the CBI is investigating alongside the high-profile sexual assault and murder case of a trainee doctor at the hospital.
Three others, identified as vendors Biplav Singha, Suman Hazara, and security guard Afsar Ali, were also arrested. These individuals were allegedly involved in supplying medicine and other hospital-related activities.
Sandip Ghosh's role as principal of the college, where the doctor's body was discovered on August 9, has come under intense scrutiny. The Supreme Court questioned why he, as the head of the institution, did not immediately file a First Information Report (FIR). His subsequent transfer to another hospital after resigning under public pressure raised further questions about the state government’s actions. The Calcutta High Court criticised the government's handling of the situation, suggesting that Ghosh take a long leave rather than assume a new post.
The CBI began questioning Ghosh on August 16, with each session lasting between 10 to 14 hours. The investigation expanded when the High Court handed the financial irregularities case to the CBI, leading to a search of Ghosh's residence on August 25. According to officials, substantial evidence was found during the search. Ghosh has undergone two polygraph tests as part of the investigation.
Amid the ongoing protests, Akhtar Ali, the former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar Hospital, filed an appeal with the High Court, requesting that the Enforcement Directorate investigate the alleged financial misconduct. Ali accused Ghosh of illegal activities, including the sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking biomedical waste, and accepting commissions from medicine and medical equipment suppliers. He also alleged that students were coerced into paying bribes of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh to pass their exams.
Following these accusations, the Indian Medical Association suspended Ghosh. His appointment as principal of Calcutta National Medical College also met with resistance, as students locked him out of his office before the Supreme Court's order.
- With inputs from agencies
