CBI Arrests Former RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh In Corruption Case

Kolkata:  After 14 days of intense interrogation and investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the medical establishment during his tenure. 

Ghosh, currently held by the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch, faces charges related to a tender scam from 2021. This case emerged in the context of the broader probe into the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9, which ignited widespread outrage and protests. Ghosh was taken into custody by the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch from the special crime branch office and brought to the Nizam Palace for processing.  

The CBI had named Sandip Ghosh in the FIR the agency had filed in connection with its probe into the alleged financial irregularities at the institution during his tenure. The agency had slapped Section 120B of IPC (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 IPC (cheating and dishonesty) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) which covers unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant.

The FIR was lodged after the CBI took over the probe from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) following directions of the Calcutta High Court which the West Bengal government had initially formed following the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic on August 9.

The order was issued on a petition by former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Hospital, Akhtar Ali, who requested a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged financial misconduct at the institution. Ali had moved the high court after fervent speculations in the public domain on whether the alleged rampant corruption at the institution was in any way connected to the medic's death with possibilities of the victim remaining privy to those and threatening exposure.

Ali had also alleged that his complaints before the state vigilance commission and anti-corruption bureau filed a year ago against Ghosh yielded little results and, instead, led to his own transfer from the institution. In his plea before the high court, Ali accused Ghosh of illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste and passing tenders against the commission paid by medicine and medical equipment suppliers. Ali also alleged that students were pressured to pay amounts ranging between Rs 5 and 8 lakh to pass exams.

‘People of Bengal Deserve Truth’

Reacting to Ghosh's arrest, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said, "Former Principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandeep Ghosh, has been arrested by CBI. Despite the TMC govt's attempts to destroy evidence, his corruption and wrongdoings will soon be exposed. The people of Bengal deserve the truth, and this arrest is a crucial step towards it."  

Who is Sandip Ghosh?

Ghosh served as principal of RG Kar Hospital from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from the medical establishment in October of that year but inexplicably returned to that position within a month. He held his position at the hospital till the day the doctor was found murdered. Ghosh, who was removed from his chair at RG Kar Hospital after the crime came to light and reinstated in the same position at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital within hours by the Mamata Banerjee government, has subsequently been asked to go on an indefinite leave in the wake of massive resistance from CNMC students and pending the corruption inquiry. The CBI had also conducted a polygraph test on him earlier last month in connection with the rape and murder probe.