Kolkata – In a developing story surrounding the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital scandal, Sandip Ghosh, the former and controversial Principal of the state-run institution, filed a bail petition on Monday before a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court. Justice Subhendu Samanta admitted the petition, with a hearing expected to take place later in the day. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently conducting parallel investigations into Ghosh related to financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital and the shocking rape and murder of a junior doctor earlier this August. In the latter case, Ghosh faces serious allegations of misleading investigators and tampering with evidence while the initial inquiry was being managed by Kolkata Police until the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI.
In addition to Ghosh, the CBI is also probing Abhijit Mondal, the former Station House Officer (SHO) of Tala Police Station, which falls under the jurisdiction of RG Kar Hospital, on similar charges. Both Ghosh and Mondal are currently in judicial custody. Previously, Ghosh attempted to expedite his bail plea, seeking permission from the Calcutta High Court to liquidate fixed deposits to cover his legal expenses. However, the court denied his request for a fast-track hearing, and this matter may also be discussed in the upcoming session before Justice Samanta. In light of the ongoing investigations, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF)—the collective body representing junior doctors in the state has come forward with critical documentation.
They allege that the state health department overlooked numerous complaints concerning financial discrepancies during Ghosh's tenure. A WBJDF representative stated, “The documents not only highlight instances of fund misappropriation linked to Sandip Ghosh as the Principal but also showcase how complaints from whistle-blowers were ignored by the state health department.” As the investigation unfolds, the community and medical professionals are closely watching the developments surrounding this high-profile case, which has raised significant concerns about accountability within the state's health system.
