CBI Files Chargesheet in RG Kar Hospital Financial Irregularities Case Naming Sandip Ghosh as Prime Accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet concerning financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal, is named as the main accused. However, the Special CBI court in Alipore did not accept the chargesheet due to missing official approval required for state government employees. The chargesheet also includes four others arrested for their alleged involvement.

The chargesheet, spanning over 100 pages, lists Biplab Singh, Afsar Ali, Suman Hazra, and Ashish Pandey alongside Ghosh. All have been implicated in the financial misconduct case. The CBI has attached around 1,000 pages of supporting documents to substantiate their investigation. An official highlighted that state government approval is necessary before submitting a chargesheet involving its employees.

Investigation and Allegations

Ghosh and Pandey are doctors at the state-run hospital. The chargesheet was filed nearly three months after Ghosh's arrest on September 2. His arrest followed the discovery of a medic's body in the seminar room in August. Allegations suggest that financial fraud had been ongoing at the hospital for over three years, with rigged tenders for medical equipment purchases.

Ghosh allegedly facilitated his associates in securing these tenders. He was suspended 26 days after the medic's body was found. On August 23, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI. This decision followed a petition by Dr Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent at the hospital.

Legal Proceedings and Court Orders

Dr Akhtar Ali's petition sought an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into multiple financial misconduct allegations during Ghosh's tenure as principal. He accused Ghosh of illegal activities including selling unclaimed corpses, trafficking biomedical waste, and accepting commissions for passing tenders from suppliers.

The CBI's chargesheet filing comes amid these serious allegations against Ghosh and others involved. The West Bengal government's approval remains pending for the chargesheet submission in court. This procedural requirement has delayed further legal proceedings against those accused in this high-profile case.

The investigation into RG Kar Hospital's financial irregularities continues to unfold as authorities seek to address these serious allegations. The case highlights significant concerns about corruption within state-run institutions and underscores the need for thorough investigations to ensure accountability.