The ongoing investigation into the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has taken a new turn with the arrest of the institute’s former principal, Sandip Ghosh. Ghosh was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of financial irregularities during his tenure as principal.
As Ghosh was being escorted to a Kolkata court on Wednesday, he faced a barrage of anger from protesters, many of whom were outraged by the recent tragic events at the hospital. One individual even attempted to slap Ghosh, showcasing the depth of public sentiment surrounding the case.
Ghosh’s arrest stems from allegations of corruption and financial irregularities at the medical college and hospital, allegations that prompted a single bench of the Calcutta High Court to order a CBI probe. Following the investigation, the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI took Ghosh into custody and presented him in court on Tuesday. He was subsequently remanded to 8-day police custody, with the next hearing scheduled for September 10.
The allegations against Ghosh were initially raised by Dr. Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Hospital, who filed multiple complaints regarding financial misconduct during Ghosh’s leadership. These complaints included accusations of organ trafficking, alleging that organs from unidentified bodies sent to the hospital for post-mortem were frequently sold on the black market at exorbitant prices.
While Ghosh initially resigned as the principal of RG Kar Hospital, he was subsequently reinstated as the principal of National Medical College and Hospital, another government-run hospital in West Bengal. Following the doctor’s rape and murder, however, the West Bengal government placed Ghosh on leave.
Beyond the CBI investigation, Ghosh is also facing scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his potential role in the doctor’s rape and murder, as well as alleged money laundering activities.
The tragic incident that sparked these investigations occurred on August 9th, when a PG trainee doctor from the Chest Medicine department was found raped and murdered while resting in the hospital’s seminar room. The discovery of her lifeless body led to widespread protests, demanding justice and accountability for the heinous crime.
The arrest of Sandip Ghosh marks a significant development in the case, but the investigation continues, seeking to uncover the full extent of the financial irregularities and determine the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s tragic death. Public outrage over the case remains intense, with protesters demanding swift justice and comprehensive reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
