CBI files non-bailable FIR against ex-RG Kar College principal Sandip Ghosh for financial fraud

The Central Bureau of Investigation has named the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh, in the FIR filed in connection with the investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the institution during his term.

He has been booked under Section 120B of IPC (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 IPC (cheating and dishonesty) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 which encompasses unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant.

The FIR was filed on Aug 24 after the CBI took over the probe from a Special Investigation Team formed by the West Bengal government after the orders of the Calcutta High Court. The court has granted the investigating agency three weeks to submit a progress report which is to be presented on Sep 17.

On Aug 25, CBI raided his residence in Kolkata and he was brought in for interrogation again on Aug 26. Along with Ghosh, the hospital’s former forensic officer Debashis Som and former superintendent Sanjay Vashisth have also been questioned about corruption charges.

The CBI launched search operations on the premises of Ghosh, Vashisth and 13 others in and around Kolkata, officials said.

The CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch said they have found substantial evidence in their corruption probe.
On being asked if they had found any concrete evidence, a CBI official responded, “...there is a lot.”

The FIR was lodged following a petition filed by Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent of RGKMCH, who accused Dr Ghosh of issuing tenders for the construction of food stalls, cafes, canteens, and urinals without the permission of the health department and the college council.

Ali had further alleged that his earlier complaints before the State Vigilance Commission and Anti-corruption Bureau filed a year ago were not taken seriously and instead, he was transferred from the institution.

Ali in his plea to the High Court, accused Ghosh of illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste and passing tenders against the commission paid by medicine and medical equipment suppliers.

The anti-corruption unit of the CBI also searched the residences and offices of those engaged in supplying materials for the management and care of patients.

Earlier, Kolkata Police extended prohibitory orders till Aug 31 near the R G Kar hospital in view of the continuous strike of doctors.

The protesting doctors are demanding justice for the young woman doctor who was found murdered after being sexually assaulted at R G Kar Hospital Kolkata on Aug 9.

Although the prime accused Sanjay Roy has been arrested and is currently in 14-day judicial custody, the incident has sparked nationwide outrage with doctors demanding exemplary punishment and enhanced safety measures for medical professionals at workplaces.