Corruption – West Bengal Clears Legal Action Against Former RG Kar Principal
Corruption – The West Bengal government has approved the prosecution of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh in connection with alleged financial misconduct linked to procurement activities during his tenure at the institution.
Government Grants Approval for Prosecution
An official notification issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Monday confirmed that the governor, acting as the competent authority, sanctioned legal proceedings against Ghosh under several laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
According to the order, the decision was taken after authorities conducted a detailed review of case records, the FIR, and supporting documents connected to the investigation. Officials stated that the approval was necessary for investigative agencies to move ahead with prosecution before the appropriate court.
Allegations Linked to Procurement Activities
The case concerns alleged irregularities in procurement procedures and related administrative matters at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital while Ghosh served as principal. Investigators are examining claims of financial misconduct tied to purchases and institutional contracts during that period.
The inquiry began after the Calcutta High Court, through an order issued on August 23, 2024, directed an investigation following a petition seeking scrutiny of the alleged irregularities. The matter was initially registered at Kolkata’s Tala police station before being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Branch.
CBI Expanded Probe Into Financial Transactions
The CBI later registered a formal case against Sandip Ghosh along with three entities identified as Maa Tara Traders, Eshan Cafe, and Khama Louha. The agency invoked charges related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption laws as part of its investigation.
Officials involved in the case indicated that the alleged offences also fell within the category of scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This led the Enforcement Directorate to open a separate money laundering investigation after registering an Enforcement Case Information Report in August 2024.
The state government’s order mentioned that preliminary examination of available materials suggested evidence of both acts of commission and omission linked to Ghosh’s conduct during his administrative role at the hospital.
State Officials Cite Public Interest
A senior official from the state health department said the sanction for prosecution followed a legal examination of all available documents and evidence connected to the matter.
The official stated that the approval had been issued in accordance with legal procedures and was intended to support further judicial proceedings in public interest. Authorities maintained that the competent authority reviewed all relevant materials before reaching the decision.
RG Kar Hospital Remained Under National Spotlight
RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has remained under intense public and political attention since 2024 after the rape and murder of a doctor within the hospital premises triggered nationwide outrage and widespread protests demanding accountability and improved safety measures.
Since then, multiple agencies have been examining separate allegations concerning hospital administration, procurement systems, and financial practices. Sandip Ghosh has faced scrutiny from central investigative bodies over accusations related to corruption and financial irregularities associated with the institution’s management.
The latest sanction order marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation and could pave the way for formal court proceedings in the coming months as agencies continue their probe into the alleged misconduct.