Trouble mounts for Sandip Ghosh: After CBI, ED to investigate financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital

Following the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has booked Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, for alleged financial irregularities during his tenure. The ED's FIR was registered on the basis of the FIR filed by the CBI, India Today reported.

The CBI on Saturday named Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in the FIR in connection with its investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure at the institution.

The FIR was filed on Saturday based on a written complaint by Debal Kumar Ghosh, special secretary, state health department.

The Central Authority has linked Section 120B of the IPC (criminal conspiracy) with Section 420 of the IPC (cheating and dishonesty) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018).

Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) deals with unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant. The cases together constitute punishable offences and are non-bailable in nature, news agency PTI reported, quoting a senior lawyer of the Calcutta High Court.

Sandip Ghosh was the director of the government medical institution from February 2021 to September 2023.

In October last year, he was transferred from the government medical facility, but returned there within a month. After his return, he retained his position at the hospital until the day the 31-year-old doctor was found raped and murdered in the seminar hall.

Following the incident, Ghosh was removed from his post by the state government and within hours he was reinstated in the same position at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.

Apart from Ghosh, the federal investigators have also registered cases against one Ms. Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jorehat, Banipur, Howrah, one Ms. Eshan Cafe of 4/1, H/1, JK Ghosh Road, Belgachhia, Kolkata and one Ms. Khama Louha.

The FIR was filed days after the Calcutta High Court directed the CBI to take over the investigation from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Mamata Banerjee government.

The order was issued following a request by former deputy director of RG Kar Hospital, Akhtar Ali. Ali demanded an investigation by the emergency department into financial irregularities at the facility.

In his plea before the High Court, Ali accused Ghosh of illegally selling unclaimed dead bodies, trading in biomedical waste and awarding tenders against commission from drug and medical equipment suppliers. He also alleged that students were pressurised to pay between Rs 500,000 and Rs 800,000 to clear the exams.

(With India Today, agency contributions)