CBI Arrests Former R G Kar Medical College Principal Sandip Ghosh Over Financial Misconduct
Kolkata, West Bengal – September 2
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with a corruption case that has drawn significant attention alongside ongoing protests over the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at the institution.
Details of the Arrest: Ghosh, 53, had been under CBI scrutiny for the past 15 days, being questioned about both the tragic rape-murder and alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as the hospital’s administrator. On Monday, after several hours of questioning at the CBI’s CGO Complex office in Salt Lake, Ghosh was taken to the agency’s Nizam Palace office, where he was officially placed under arrest.
Shortly after Ghosh’s arrest, three other individuals were also taken into custody: Ghosh’s security guard, Afsar Ali Khan, and two hospital vendors, Biplav Singha (52) and Sumon Hazra (46).
Background of the Case: The corruption investigation against Ghosh was initiated following a petition filed by Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent at R G Kar Medical College, in the Calcutta High Court. The petition was filed after the rape-murder of the junior doctor on August 21 and accused Ghosh of embezzling government funds, trafficking biomedical waste, nepotism, and violating procurement laws. Ali’s petition sought a probe by the Enforcement Directorate.
On August 23, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI, also directing Ghosh to proceed on leave.
Ghosh had served as the principal of R G Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023 before being transferred to Murshidabad Medical College. However, after protests erupted following the rape-murder incident, Ghosh was reinstated as principal of R G Kar Medical College, a position he held until his resignation on August 12. Despite his resignation, Ghosh was reinstated by the state government as principal of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, but following further protests, the High Court again ordered him to proceed on leave.
CBI’s FIR and Reaction: On August 24, the CBI filed an FIR under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 420 (fraud), and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, naming Ghosh and several entities, including Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jhorehat in Howrah, Eshan Cafe at Belgachia, and Khana Louha.
The father of the junior doctor who was tragically raped and murdered expressed mixed emotions about Ghosh’s arrest, stating, “While I’m relieved by the CBI’s arrest, there’s no true solace. I would still say there is nothing to celebrate for me. However, we welcome the arrest.”
TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen, who had previously attempted to address the corruption charges against Ghosh, said, “When I joined as chairman of RG Kar Rogi Kalyan Samiti in February 2023, I had taken out details of all corruption charges against him and had tried to stop him. I had also informed the Health Secretary but no step was taken. Had the right steps been taken at the right time, we wouldn’t have had to see all this.”
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar commented, “People of Bengal wanted his arrest… The CBI has honored the demand of the people of Bengal, and hence I express my gratitude.”