The West Bengal Health Department has suspended Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, following his arrest on Monday in connection with alleged financial irregularities during his tenure. The suspension was formalised on Tuesday, just hours after his arrest.
Official Suspension and Legal Proceedings
The official notification issued by the West Bengal Health Department cited Rule 9 (1c) of the West Bengal Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1971, as the basis for the suspension. The notice stated, “In view of the ongoing criminal investigation against Prof (Dr) Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, Prof (Dr) Ghosh is placed under suspension with immediate effect.”
Following his arrest, Ghosh was presented in court and subsequently remanded to eight days of police custody, indicating the seriousness of the allegations against him.
Arrests and CBI Involvement
The arrest of Dr. Ghosh was part of a broader investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College. Along with Ghosh, three other individuals were arrested: Afsar Ali Khan, described as Ghosh’s “personal bouncer,” and two hospital vendors, Biplav Singha and Suman Hazara, who allegedly supplied materials to the hospital during Ghosh’s tenure.
The CBI’s involvement underscores the gravity of the case. The agency’s Special Crime Branch is probing a separate but related case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9, while the anti-corruption wing is handling the financial irregularities investigation.
Background and Previous Controversies
Dr. Ghosh’s tenure at RG Kar Medical College has been mired in controversy. He was removed from his position as principal following the horrific rape and murder incident at the hospital, which sparked widespread outrage. However, in a controversial move by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, Ghosh was reinstated at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital just hours after his removal.
Public protests and ongoing inquiries into the corruption allegations eventually led to Ghosh being placed on indefinite leave. The allegations against him include multiple instances of financial irregularities, as reported by the hospital’s former deputy superintendent, Dr. Akhtar Ali. These reports prompted the CBI’s anti-corruption wing to initiate a thorough investigation.
The ongoing probe is likely to uncover more details about the extent of the financial misconduct during Ghosh’s tenure, adding to the already significant legal and ethical challenges he faces.
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