Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, found himself embroiled in controversy as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took him into custody for alleged financial irregularities during his tenure at the hospital. Ghosh, who has been a prominent figure in the medical community, spent his first night in CBI custody under tense and restless conditions. Sources revealed that he remained awake throughout the night, struggling to come to terms with his new reality.
Ghosh is currently held in a lock-up on the 14th floor of the second MSO building in Kolkata's Nizam Palace, where the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch operates. The area is heavily guarded, with four armed CRPF personnel stationed both inside and outside his lockup, ensuring that Ghosh remains under tight surveillance during his custody period. He is expected to stay there for at least seven more days before being produced in court again on September 10.
The former principal's discomfort in custody is palpable. Sources indicated that he appeared increasingly nervous and had trouble sleeping on his first night in the lock-up, which is not uncommon for individuals unaccustomed to such conditions. His anxious state was exacerbated by the hostile reception he received on Tuesday when an agitated mob attempted to attack him as he was being escorted from the court. Despite the presence of tight security by CRPF and Kolkata Police, one individual managed to breach the perimeter and slap Ghosh on the head as he was being led to a CBI vehicle.
Following his arrest, Ghosh made a request for a vegetarian meal, citing the observance of Kali Puja. This request was granted, and he was provided with a vegetarian dinner. Ghosh, known to be a regular visitor to a Balaji temple near his residence in Beliaghata, Kolkata, likely found some solace in adhering to his religious practices even in custody. However, his night remained restless, and his disturbed sleep patterns continued into the following day.
On Wednesday morning, Ghosh was served tea, biscuits, and breakfast before the CBI resumed its interrogation. The questioning, led by three officers from the Anti-Corruption Branch, was thorough and relentless, resuming after a brief lunch break. Throughout the interrogation, Ghosh has maintained his innocence, consistently denying any involvement in the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. A source close to the CBI team disclosed that Ghosh has "outright refuted all the allegations against him," sticking firmly to his stance despite the mounting pressure.
Ghosh's arrest follows weeks of extensive questioning by the CBI, which has been investigating the financial mismanagement during his tenure as principal. His tenure at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, from February 2021 to September 2023, has come under scrutiny, particularly after his controversial return to the position just a month after being transferred in October 2023. The period during which Ghosh served as principal was also marked by a tragic incident—the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in the hospital's seminar hall on August 9, 2023, which led to nationwide protests and further compounded the controversies surrounding the institution under his leadership.
As the investigation continues, Ghosh remains under the watchful eye of the CBI, and the legal proceedings ahead are likely to shed more light on the extent of his involvement in the alleged financial misconduct. For now, his days in custody are marked by tension, restlessness, and an ongoing battle to clear his name.
Â
