 |
|
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, focusing its attention on a lavish bungalow linked to former principal Sandip Ghosh. The agency's investigation began with raids conducted at Ghosh's residence and the residences of his three close aides, leading to the detention of Prasun Chatterjee, a data entry operator at the National Medical College and a close associate of Ghosh. Following Chatterjee's detention, the ED took him to Ghosh's bungalow in the Canning area of South 24 Parganas district, where the probe into the alleged financial irregularities is continuing.
The bungalow, known as ‘Sangeeta Sandip Villa’, is situated on several hundred ‘bighas’ of vacant land in Narayanpur Mauza of Ghutiari Sharif. Local residents claim that Ghosh is the owner of the property, having been seen visiting it with his wife and family. The bungalow's existence has further fueled the investigation into the alleged financial scam at RG Kar Hospital.
The investigation into Ghosh and the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital originated from a rape and murder case involving a female medic. The case exposed illegal activities that occurred during Ghosh's tenure as principal of the government-run institution. Ghosh served as the principal from February 2021 to September 2023. Although he was transferred in October 2023, his appointment was reinstated within a month, a position he held until the day the young trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the facility.
Ghosh is currently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), having been arrested in connection with the alleged financial irregularities along with three others: his security guard Afsar Ali, and hospital vendors Biplav Singha and Suman Hazara. The ED's probe into Ghosh's bungalow is likely to shed further light on the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital, raising serious questions about the management and accountability of the institution.