Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has been taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with significant financial irregularities at the esteemed institution. This arrest follows an intensive probe by the CBI, which had subjected Ghosh to rigorous questioning over the past two weeks. The charges levelled against him are grave, encompassing criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonesty, in addition to violations under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. These allegations are serious, involving cognizable offences that carry non-bailable conditions, highlighting the severity of the accusations against him.
Ghosh’s arrest is intricately tied to a broader scandal that has plagued RG Kar Medical College, a hospital that has been under intense scrutiny ever since a horrific crime took place on its premises. Ghosh, who served as the principal from February 2021 to September 2023, was at the helm when a 31-year-old trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered within the hospital’s seminar hall. This heinous act, which occurred on August 9, 2023, sent shockwaves across the nation, triggering widespread protests and a fervent demand for justice. The discovery of the trainee doctor’s semi-nude body within the hospital’s confines underscored a grave breach of safety and security, leading to a public outcry that reverberated beyond West Bengal.
The Calcutta High Court, recognizing the need for an impartial and thorough investigation into the trainee doctor’s murder, directed the CBI to take over the case from the Kolkata Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT). This transfer of authority highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of the case, which has since captivated national attention. The CBI’s investigation not only focused on the horrific crime but also began to unravel a web of alleged financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College, with Ghosh at the center of the inquiry.
The arrest of Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, in connection with the trainee doctor’s rape and murder, marked an important development in the case. However, as the investigation progressed, Ghosh’s role came under increasing scrutiny, particularly after it was revealed that he had disclosed the identity of the victim, an action that further complicated his legal standing and attracted additional charges. This revelation, combined with the financial irregularities unearthed by the CBI, painted a troubling picture of the management and governance at RG Kar Medical College during Ghosh’s tenure.
In response to these damning developments, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) took the extraordinary step of suspending Ghosh’s membership. This action by the IMA’s disciplinary committee was a clear signal of the medical community’s condemnation of the events that transpired under Ghosh’s leadership at RG Kar Medical College. The suspension reflected a broader concern within the medical fraternity about maintaining ethical standards and protecting the integrity of the profession, especially in light of the grievous harm caused to the trainee doctor and the hospital’s reputation.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding this case is Ghosh’s unexpected return to his post at the hospital in October 2023, following an earlier transfer. His reinstatement, though short-lived, coincided with the tragic and violent events that have since dominated public discourse. The circumstances of his return and the timing of the trainee doctor’s murder have raised numerous questions, further intensifying the scrutiny of his actions and decisions during his tenure as principal.
Ghosh’s arrest by the CBI represents a pivotal moment in both the ongoing investigation into the financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College and the probe into the trainee doctor’s brutal death. The case has not only brought to light issues of corruption and mismanagement within a prominent medical institution but has also sparked a wider debate about accountability and governance in the healthcare sector. The investigation is far from over, and the CBI, along with other relevant authorities, is expected to continue its efforts to uncover the full extent of the alleged wrongdoing at RG Kar Medical College and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.
The developments in this case have been closely followed by the public, who are eager for justice to be served for the victim and her family. The arrest of Sandip Ghosh is seen as a significant step in this direction, and the ongoing investigation is likely to shed further light on the deep-rooted issues that have come to define this tragic and complex case.
