Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday conducted a raid at the residence of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation. The CBI also carried out searches at 14 other locations connected to the case.
This significant development follows the CBI’s registration of a case involving alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College, which recently came under scrutiny after the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor on August 9.
The CBI took over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was originally formed by the West Bengal government, following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The high court had already handed over the probe into the rape and murder case to the CBI and later transferred the investigation into the financial irregularities during Dr. Ghosh’s tenure to the agency as well, citing the need for a “comprehensive and unbiased inquiry.”
The order from the high court came in response to a petition filed by Dr. Akhtar Ali, who served as the deputy superintendent of RG Kar Medical College until 2023. Dr. Ali requested an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the alleged financial malpractices that surfaced during Dr. Ghosh’s leadership.
In his petition, Dr. Ali accused Dr. Ghosh of various corrupt practices, including the illegal use of unclaimed corpses, the unlawful sale of biomedical waste, and awarding tenders in exchange for commissions from suppliers of medicine and medical equipment. He also alleged that students were coerced into paying bribes ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh to pass their exams.
Dr. Ali stated that he had lodged a written complaint with the state vigilance commission in July 2023, but no action was taken against Dr. Ghosh. “I want everyone involved in the racket to be exposed,” Dr. Ali remarked after filing the petition.
The RG Kar Medical College was thrust into the spotlight after the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in the college’s seminar hall on August 9. The prime suspect in the case, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10 and remains in custody as the investigation continues.
