The Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI, has arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the hospital in Kolkata where a doctor was sexually assaulted and killed last month, following a drawn-out two-week interrogation period. The central agency is looking into the rape-murder case in addition to the claims of financial violations during his term, which led to the arrest.
Sandip Ghosh has been arrested along with three other people. They are suppliers, according to sources, Biplav Singha and Suman Hazara, who provided medication to the hospital and security guard Afsar Ali.
Many have questioned Sandip Ghosh’s role as Principal of the RG Kar Medical College, where the body of the woman doctor was found on August 9 morning. The reason behind the head of the institution’s delay in lodging a First Information Report was questioned even by the Supreme Court.
The second shockwave was brought on by his transfer to a different hospital just hours after he resigned from his position due to public pressure, raising questions about the state government’s involvement as well. The Calcutta High Court, which was harshly critical of the government, recommended that Sandip Ghosh take a lengthy leave of absence rather than accepting the position.
Sandip Ghosh was being questioned by the CBI since August 16, when it assumed control of the rape-murder investigation following a directive from the Calcutta High Court. A 10- to 14-hour period was all that was spent.
Following the High Court’s transfer of the financial irregularities case to it, the agency searched his residence on August 25. When questioned late in the evening if they had obtained any evidence, one of the officials said, “lots”. The previous Principal completed two rounds of polygraph examinations.
Former RG Kar Hospital Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali had filed an appeal in HighCourt, asking the ED to look into the alleged financial irregularities, as demonstrations grew.
Akhtar Ali had accused Ghosh in his appeal of issuing tenders against the commission paid by suppliers of medical supplies and equipment, trafficking in biological waste, and unlawfully selling unclaimed bodies. In order to pass exams, he further said that students were under pressure to pay anything from ₹5 to ₹8 lakh.
The Indian Medical Association has already placed Sandip Ghosh on administrative leave. His appointment to the prestigious Calcutta National Medical College backfired as well; long before the Supreme Court’s judgement, the students had locked him out of the Principal’s office.
Bengal’s medical community and civic society, who have been on the warpath since the young doctor’s death was discovered on August 9, are not pleased with Sandip Ghosh’s arrest. They have called for the resignation of Kolkata Police Chief Vineet Goyal.
“Sandip Ghosh’s corruption and wrongdoings will eventually come to light, despite the TMC government’s efforts to obliterate evidence. In a video statement that was uploaded on X, formerly Twitter, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar stated, “The people of Bengal deserve the truth, and this arrest is a crucial step towards it.”
