Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the financial irregularities involving Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who was arrested alongside two vendors, Biplab Singha and Suman Hazra. According to a CBI officer, Singha and Hazra were involved in laundering money for Ghosh, with the ex-principal allegedly taking a 20% commission on each tender awarded.
Investigators have discovered that Ghosh bypassed tender norms to favor Singha’s business, Maa Tara Traders, which secured multiple contracts with RG Kar Medical College. Ghosh’s association with Singha dates back several years, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of these dealings.
CBI officials are delving into how Maa Tara Traders, which is primarily a lab equipment supplier, managed to obtain contracts for unrelated services such as supplying food packets, water coolers, purifiers, sound systems, and microphones to the hospital. This raises questions about the adherence to standard tender processes.
Typically, in a proper tender process, “technical bids”—which include the company’s details and experience—are reviewed first to assess compliance, quality assurance, and methodology. However, under Ghosh’s leadership at RG Kar Hospital, this process was reportedly inverted, with “financial bids”—which cover prices and project costs—being opened first. The CBI also learned that Maa Tara Traders was awarded contracts for setting up “UG skill labs” in other hospitals despite submitting significantly higher price quotes.
Suman Hazra, who runs a medicine shop in Howrah’s Mourigram, is also under investigation. Authorities are examining whether medicines meant for hospital patients were marked as in short supply and then diverted for sale at his outlet. Hazra is further implicated for supplying medical equipment to the hospital, adding another layer to the investigation.
The allegations against Sandip Ghosh were initially brought forward by Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent at RG Kar Medical College. On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also investigating the laundering allegations based on a Calcutta High Court order, questioned Ali for more than two hours as part of their ongoing inquiry.
