Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, has been remanded to eight days of police custody following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of financial irregularities. The arrest comes amid ongoing investigations into a separate case involving the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at the hospital on August 9.
Ghosh was taken into custody on charges of financial misconduct during his tenure at RG Kar Medical College. The CBI had initially requested a 10-day custody period to further interrogate Ghosh and gather more evidence regarding the alleged irregularities.
Alongside Sandip Ghosh, three others were arrested in connection with the case. They include Biplav Singha and Suman Hazara, vendors who supplied medicine to the hospital, and Afsar Ali, a security guard.
As principal of the institution where the tragic murder occurred, Ghosh’s actions have been under scrutiny. Questions were raised about his failure to immediately file a First Information Report (FIR) after the incident, a point even addressed by the Supreme Court. His subsequent transfer to another hospital shortly after resigning under public pressure further fueled controversy, drawing criticism of the state government’s handling of the situation. The Calcutta High Court strongly suggested that instead of assuming a new position, Ghosh should take an extended leave.
The CBI took over the investigation of the rape-murder case following an order from the Calcutta High Court and began interrogating Ghosh on August 16, with questioning sessions reportedly lasting between 10 to 14 hours each. The case of financial irregularities was also handed over to the CBI, leading to a search of Ghosh’s residence on August 25. An official indicated that substantial evidence had been collected during the search.
Ghosh has undergone two rounds of polygraph tests as part of the investigation. He has also been suspended by the Indian Medical Association and faced backlash upon his appointment to Calcutta National Medical College, where students locked him out of the principal’s office, anticipating a Supreme Court order against his appointment.
