Former Principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh has been facing widespread criticism and is under scanner for his initial response and handling of the female trainee doctor’s case who was raped and murdered in the Hospital’s seminar Hall on 9th August. Now, the Kolkata Police have registered a corruption case against Ghosh. The development came after the West Bengal government formed an SIT to probe financial irregularities during Ghosh’s tenure. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed the West Bengal government over this development stating that it was Mamata Banerjee’s move to save him.
On Tuesday (20th August), the Kolkata Police registered a corruption case against Sandip Ghosh based on a written complaint filed by Debal Kumar Ghosh who is the Senior Special Secretary of Bengal’s Health Department.
Earlier, the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations of financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital from 2021 onwards, that is, during the tenure of Sandip Ghosh. Ghosh has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Prevention of Corruption Act among other charges.
According to an official statement, the four-member SIT will be headed by Inspector General of Police Pranav Kumar. The three other members include DIG of Murshidabad Range Waquar Reza, DIG of CID Soma Das Mitra, and DCP of Kolkata Police Indira Mukherjee. It will have to submit its first report to the Bengal government within a month.
#Breaking: #WestBengal Govt sets up SIT to investigate into the financial irregularities by former principal of RG Kar hospital, Sandeep Ghosh during the period of Jan 2021 till date. SIT will be headed by an IG rank officer – Pranav Kumar IPS. He will be assisted by three other… pic.twitter.com/puVnQyhKwF
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) August 19, 2024
TMC govt trying to save Sandip Ghosh, says BJP
However, the BJP has launched an attack on the TMC government accusing it of attempting to save the disgraced former principal of RG Kar Hospital. Taking to X, BJP Social media head, Amit Malviya said that it was nothing but a move by CM Banerjee to save Ghosh. He added that the West Bengal Police will arrest Sandip Ghosh to prevent CBI from taking his custody.
Malviya further stated that a free and fair investigation into the rape and murder case of the trainee female doctor is not possible unless Mamata Banerjee resigns.
The BJP leader also argued that police officers are not equipped to investigate financial crimes.
Now, WB Govt constitutes a SIT to probe allegations of financial irregularities by Dr Sandeep Ghosh, the disgraced Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. 4 IPS officers are part of the SIT. How are police officers equipped to investigate financial crimes?
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 19, 2024
This is… pic.twitter.com/26BUsI9KP0
He also shared the official state government notification about the formation of an SIT against Sandip Ghosh and wrote, “Now, WB Govt constitutes a SIT to probe allegations of financial irregularities by Dr Sandeep Ghosh, the disgraced Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. 4 IPS officers are part of the SIT. How are police officers equipped to investigate financial crimes? This is nothing but Mamata Banerjee’s move to save Ghosh. WB Police will arrest Sandeep Ghosh, just in time, to stop CBI from taking him in custody. Unless Mamata Banerjee resigns, free and fair probe in the rape and murder of the lady doctor is not possible. She must resign now.”
Meanwhile, on Monday (19th August), the CBI team grilled Sandip Ghosh for the fourth consecutive time in connection to the rape and murder case that took place on 9th August. As per reports citing officials of the investigating agency, the CBI is examining his mobile phone logs as well as his WhatsApp chats.
As per reports, Sandip Ghosh was asked about his role after he received the news of the trainee doctor’s death, who he had contacted thereafter, and why he made the parents wait for nearly three hours before letting them see her body.
He was also asked as to who ordered renovation of rooms adjacent to the seminar hall, after the body was found there on 9th August.
The official said that some of his version does not match with that of the others who are being interrogated in the case.
