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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a significant step in its probe into alleged financial irregularities at the RG Kar Hospital by arresting its former principal, Sandip Ghosh. This arrest, made on Monday, follows the agency's naming of Ghosh in the FIR concerning its investigation into financial misconduct during his tenure. The CBI had previously questioned Ghosh for 15 days at its Salt Lake office in connection with the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9th. He was subsequently escorted to the CBI's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata, where he was officially placed under arrest.
The CBI's FIR, registered at the direction of the Calcutta High Court, names Ghosh and three private entities from Kolkata: Ma Tara Traders, Eshan Cafe, and Khama Louha. These entities are suspected of being involved in the financial irregularities under investigation. The CBI had conducted a day-long search operation at Ghosh's residence in Beliaghata, Kolkata on August 25th as part of their investigation into the corruption allegations. The agency is also actively investigating the tragic rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, which occurred at the state-run hospital's seminar hall in the early hours of August 9th.
Adding to the complexities of the case, the Enforcement Directorate has opened a money laundering investigation to probe alleged financial improprieties at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during Ghosh's tenure and the involvement of others. In recent developments, the Indian Medical Association suspended Sandip Ghosh's membership. The spotlight on this case has led to a wider discussion about accountability and transparency in the healthcare sector, with the West Bengal government proposing a draft bill with the potential for capital punishment for rape convicts whose actions result in the victim's death or cause her to become vegetative. The draft also includes life imprisonment for those convicted of rape and gang-rape.
Source: CBI arrests RG Kar Hospital's ex-principal Sandip Ghosh for ‘financial misconduct’