CBI arrests ex-principal of Kolkata's RG Kar hospital in financial irregularities case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the premier investigating agency probing the rape-murder of a woman trainee doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the hospital on Sep 2.

The agency also probing financial irregularities at the hospital arrested Ghosh and three others for their alleged involvement in corruption at RG Kar hospital.

Three others who were arrested by CBI include Afsar Ali Khan, Kolkata security officer to Ghosh, and vendors —Biplav Singha, and Suman Hazra.

The former principal was arrested late in the evening after the CBI grilled him for around 15 days in a row. The CBI also subjected the former principal to a polygraph test, according to media reports.

The probe agency has registered a case of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonesty along with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act concerning the financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. The cases account for cognizable offenses and are non-bailable in nature.

Pertinently, CBI recently took over the investigation by Kolkata Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the direction of the Calcutta High Court.

Meanwhile, the former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar hospital, Akhtar Ali, recently accused Afsar Ali of selling bio-medical waste products from the hospital.

In a written complaint to the state vigilance department last year, Akhtar Ali had alleged massive financial irregularities in RG Kar hospital and accused Suman Hazra, Biplab Singha, and Afsar Ali of corruption, according to media reports.

Notably, Ghosh served as the principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from Feb 2021 to Sep 2023. He returned to his position at the hospital barely after a few weeks despite being transferred in Oct 2023.

He stepped down as principal of the hospital after the trainee doctor's rape-murder on Aug 9. The incident sparked nationwide protests with doctors demanding stern punishment to the culprits and enhanced safety for doctors at hospitals and health centers.

A civic cop with the Kolkata Police, Sanjay Roy, was arrested a few days after the gruesome incident. Earlier, Ghosh was also summoned by Kolkata police for disclosing the identity of the victim.

The Indian Medical Association has suspended the membership of Ghosh after the disciplinary committee of the medical body following the incident at the RG Kar hospital.