CBI names RG Kar Hospital ex-principal in corruption FIR, slaps non-bailable charges, conducts 2nd round of polygraph test
Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH), in the FIR filed regarding alleged financial irregularities at the institution during his tenure. The agency has charged Ghosh under Section 120B of IPC (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 IPC (cheating and dishonesty) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which addresses unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant. These charges are cognisable offences and non-bailable.
In addition to Ghosh, the CBI has registered cases against M/s Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jorehat, Banipur, Howrah, M/s Eshan Cafe of 4/1, H/1, JK Ghosh Road, Belgachhia, Kolkata, and M/s Khama Louha. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by Debal Kumar Ghosh, special secretary to the state health department, following the Calcutta High Court’s direction. The court had directed the CBI to take over from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the West Bengal government after the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic on August 9.
On Monday, the CBI began a second round of polygraph tests on Ghosh and five others in connection with the rape-murder investigation. Ghosh had provided inconsistent answers during initial questioning, prompting the additional tests. The CBI had previously conducted lie-detection tests on Ghosh and others on Saturday and on arrested accused Sanjay Roy at the Presidency Correctional Home on Sunday.
Ghosh’s Beliaghata residence was searched by CBI officers on Sunday, and he appeared at the central agency's office in Salt Lake on Monday with files and documents. Former medical superintendent and vice-principal Sanjay Vashisth, whose house was also raided, appeared before CBI detectives at Nizam Palace. A forensic medicine department professor was also questioned at the same office. On Sunday, the CBI conducted simultaneous search operations at the premises of Ghosh, Vashisth, and 13 others in Kolkata, including residences and offices involved in patient care and management supplies.
According to a complaint lodged by Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent of RGKMCH, Ghosh, during his tenure, along with his associates, issued tenders for constructing food stalls, cafes, canteens, and urinals without the necessary permissions from the health department and college council. Initial investigations revealed that three traders received these "illegal" tenders. Ali also alleged that Ghosh was involved in the illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste, and passing tenders for commissions from suppliers. Additionally, students were reportedly pressured to pay between Rs 5 and 8 lakh to pass exams.
The CBI's investigation into the rape-murder and the alleged financial irregularities follows directions from the Calcutta High Court.
