ED Conducts Raids At RG Kar College Ex-Principal Sandip Ghosh's Home, Aides' Residences Searched

On Friday morning, a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at the residence of Sandip Ghosh, who previously served as the principal of RG Kar MCH.

Simultaneously, raids were also carried out at the homes of three of Ghosh's close associates, all of whom are under scrutiny for their involvement in alleged financial irregularities during Ghosh's tenure at the medical institution.

Photo Credit: PTI

These actions followed Ghosh's recent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had been probing him in connection with these financial irregularities.

The ED's raid comes after the CBI had earlier taken Ghosh into custody, and he was sent to eight days of police custody on Tuesday to assist in the investigation.

Ghosh, along with three others who were also arrested, will undergo medical tests on Saturday.

The doctors from BR Singh Hospital, Eastern Railway, have been assigned to conduct these medical examinations, which will be done at the CBI's anti-corruption branch in West Bengal.

Background of the Financial Irregularities

The probe into the financial mismanagement stems from complaints lodged by Dr. Akhtar Ali, the hospital's former deputy superintendent, who accused Ghosh of orchestrating multiple counts of financial irregularities during his time as the principal.

These allegations have led the CBI's anti-corruption wing to question Ghosh intensively regarding his role and involvement in the alleged corruption that took place under his leadership.

Connection to the Rape and Murder Case

Beyond the financial misdeeds, Ghosh's situation became even more serious following his involvement in the case related to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar MCH on August 9.

The crime sent shockwaves through the hospital and the medical community, leading to protests and calls for justice.

The CBI's Special Crime Branch is currently probing the horrific crime, while Ghosh faces separate questioning by the anti-corruption wing for financial irregularities.

In the wake of the murder case, Ghosh was swiftly removed from his position as principal at RG Kar MCH, a decision that appeared to be influenced by the growing outrage over his alleged connection to the overall mismanagement at the institution.

However, in a controversial move, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government reinstated Ghosh to his position at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital within mere hours of his removal.

This decision faced a lot of backlash, leading to further protests from medical staff and concerned parties.

Current Status and Public Reaction

Given the widespread discontent and the gravity of the allegations, Ghosh was eventually placed on indefinite leave, pending the outcome of the ongoing corruption inquiry and the investigation into the trainee doctor's murder.

The protests continued to intensify as the allegations of corruption and mismanagement pointed toward a larger systemic issue within the hospital administration.