In a sweeping crackdown on corruption within the healthcare sector, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, situated in Kolkata. The arrest, which occurred on Monday, stems from Dr. Ghosh's purported involvement in a series of financial misdemeanors linked to the medical institution he once oversaw.

The arrest of Dr. Ghosh unfolded swiftly, occurring just within an hour after he was taken into custody, indicating the urgency and gravity of the investigation. Following his arrest, the CBI swiftly moved to detain additional suspects linked to the scandal. The individuals apprehended include his personal security guard, Afsar Ali Khan, aged 44, alongside two vendors closely associated with the hospital, Biplav Singha, 52, and Sumon Hazra, 46. These vendors were notably involved in supplying various materials to the hospital, an establishment recently marred by the grim discovery of the body of a female medical professional, who had been both raped and murdered, on the premises on August 9.

The legal proceedings took a significant turn on August 23 when the Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering that the probe into the alleged financial misdeeds at RG Kar Medical College be shifted from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI.

The escalation of the investigation into alleged financial discrepancies at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was catalyzed by a petition from Dr. Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of the facility. Dr. Ali advocated for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct an in-depth examination of the multiple allegations of financial misconduct that reportedly occurred during Sandip Ghosh’s administration.

As the layers of the case were peeled back, Sandip Ghosh found himself at the center of a rigorous interrogation process. Marking his 15th day of questioning, Ghosh was summoned to the CBI’s Salt Lake office. The focus of this intensive inquiry was not only the financial irregularities but also his alleged involvement in the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor, an event that has sent shockwaves through the medical community. The severity of the allegations necessitated his transfer to another CBI facility — the Nizam Palace office in Kolkata, which is the hub of the agency's anti-corruption wing. It was here that Ghosh was formally shown as arrested.

This arrest marks a critical juncture in the ghastly RG Kar crime fallout, occurring 24 days after the distressing crime was discovered. This is the second major arrest linked to this case; previously, Sanjay Roy, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, was taken into custody by Kolkata Police and subsequently handed over to the central agency. Roy's arrest is directly tied to his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of the young medic, further entangling the case in a web of criminal and administrative misconduct that has tarnished the institution's reputation.

Corruption charges against Sandip Ghosh

Amidst widespread public speculation and concern, Dr. Akhtar Ali approached the Calcutta High Court to question whether the alleged pervasive corruption at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was linked to the death of a post-graduate doctor, suggesting that the victim might have been aware of the corrupt activities and posed a threat of exposing them.

Dr. Ali's frustrations were further compounded by the apparent ineffectiveness of his earlier complaints lodged with the state vigilance commission and anti-corruption bureau. Filed over a year ago, these complaints against Sandip Ghosh seemingly led to no substantial action. Instead, they precipitated Dr. Ali's own transfer from the institution, an outcome that raised questions about the responsiveness and integrity of the oversight mechanisms in place.

In a detailed plea to the Calcutta High Court, Dr. Ali accused Sandip Ghosh of engaging in particularly egregious activities such as the illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste, and manipulating tenders in favor of medicine and medical equipment suppliers who allegedly paid him commissions. Furthermore, Dr. Ali claimed that students were coerced into paying hefty sums—ranging from ₹5 to 8 lakh—to secure passing grades in exams.

The gravity of these allegations prompted a swift judicial response. Just a day after the high court directed that the corruption case be handed over to the CBI, the agency acted decisively. On August 24, Sandip Ghosh was named in an FIR, facing serious charges under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy), combined with section 420 (cheating and dishonesty) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. These charges, as explained by a senior lawyer from the Calcutta High Court to news agency PTI, constitute cognizable and non-bailable offenses, highlighting the severe legal repercussions awaiting Ghosh.

The scope of the CBI’s investigation also extended beyond Ghosh. Cases were registered against entities including M/s Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jorehat, Banipur, Howrah, M/s Eshan Café of Belgachhia, Kolkata, and M/s Khama Louha. These cases suggest a broader network of corruption that might have facilitated or benefited from the malpractices at the hospital.

Adding to the investigative rigor, Sandip Ghosh underwent two rounds of polygraph tests administered by the CBI. These tests were part of the ongoing probe into both the corruption allegations and the linked rape and murder case, underlining the multifaceted nature of the investigation aimed at uncovering the truth behind the scandal that has rocked the medical community in Kolkata.

Ghosh resigned from his role on August 12, just three days after the incident. 

Further actions were taken to address the fallout from the incident involving the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital. Last week, on Wednesday, a significant decision was made by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), reflecting the seriousness with which the medical community regarded the allegations against Dr. Ghosh. The IMA, a pivotal body representing medical professionals across India, took a firm stand by suspending Dr. Ghosh's membership.

This decision was not taken lightly. It was the result of a careful and considered process by the disciplinary committee, which was duly constituted by the National President, Dr. RV Asokan, of the IMA Headquarters. The committee, after thorough deliberation, unanimously agreed to suspend Dr. Ghosh, who had also been serving as the vice president of the IMA Calcutta Branch.

FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES AT RG KAR MEDICAL COLLEGE: TOP POINTS

1. Early Morning Arrival and Delayed Access: On August 25, at approximately 6 am, the anti-corruption branch of the CBI, along with central forces, reached the residence of Sandip Ghosh. However, they had to wait about one and a half hours before being allowed entry, as per a report by news agency PTI.

2. Intensive Questioning Session: By 8 am, a group of at least seven officials from the central probe agency began their interrogation of Ghosh. Concurrently, other CBI officials questioned the former Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal, Sanjay Vashisth, and a professor from the forensic-medicine department, among others involved with the medical establishment.

3. Search Operations Across Multiple Locations: A different team of CBI agents conducted searches at the former principal's office and explored areas like the canteen within the academic building. They also extended their search to residences and premises of individuals involved in supplying materials essential for patient management and care at the hospital.

4. Extensive Search Duration and Seizure of Documents: The search operations spanned over 12 hours, concluding around 8.50 pm, with CBI officials emerging with numerous documents they seized from the searched premises. When queried by reporters regarding the seized evidence, a CBI official responded, "bahut kuch hai," indicating the substantial nature of the findings.

5. Further Inquiries at Demonstrator’s Residence: Post-search operation, CBI officials visited the residence of Debabish Shom, Demonstrator in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and escorted him to their office at Nizam Palace. The specifics of his legal status, whether arrested or detained for questioning, remained unclear.

6. Continued Interrogations Following Raids: Following the raids conducted on August 25, most individuals connected to the searched premises were called in for additional questioning at the CBI office on the subsequent Monday. Both Ghosh and Shom reported to the CBI office that morning.

7. Legal Actions and Previous Interrogations: The CBI filed an FIR against Ghosh and various private entities citing Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, under the Indian Penal Code. This was following an extensive period of questioning concerning Ghosh by the CBI’s special crime unit over nine days, beginning August 16, related to the doctor’s rape and murder case.

8. Lie Detection Tests: On the preceding Sunday, the CBI conducted a lie-detection test on the main suspect, Sanjay Roy, as part of the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. The test took place in Kolkata’s Presidency Jail, where Roy is detained, with additional polygraph tests performed on a few other suspects.

9. Triggering Event and National Response: The rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor occurred in the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9, leading to the arrest of a Kolkata Police civic volunteer. This crime sparked nationwide protests by both medical professionals and citizens, highlighting the severity and impact of the incident.

10. Judicial Intervention and Investigation Transfer: On August 23, the Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering that the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during Sandip Ghosh's tenure be transferred from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI, marking a significant shift in oversight and probing capability.