ED Launches Money Laundering Probe at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has commenced a money laundering investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This development follows the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the institution earlier this month.

On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a First Information Report (FIR) naming Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with the financial irregularities during his tenure. The FIR, lodged based on a complaint from Debal Kumar Ghosh, the special secretary of the state health department, includes charges under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 420 (cheating and dishonesty), and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018).

Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act pertains to the unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant, making these charges cognizable and non-bailable, as explained by a senior Calcutta High Court lawyer in reports by newswire PTI.

Sandip Ghosh served as the principal from February 2021 to September 2023. Despite being transferred from the role in October last year, he was reinstated within a month and continued until the rape and murder incident. Following the tragic event, Ghosh was removed but soon reinstated by the state government at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.

In addition to Ghosh, the federal investigation has led to cases against several entities, including M/s Ma Tara Traders, M/s Eshan Cafe, and M/s Khama Louha. The FIR follows a directive from the Calcutta High Court for the CBI to take over the investigation from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Mamata Banerjee government.

The move to investigate financial irregularities was prompted by a petition from Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Hospital. Ali’s petition accused Ghosh of various illegal activities, including the sale of unclaimed bodies, trafficking of biomedical waste, awarding tenders for bribes, and coercing students into paying bribes ranging from Rs 5-8 lakh to pass their exams.

As the investigations unfold, tensions have escalated in Kolkata. Student groups are scheduled to hold a ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally today, reflecting growing public outrage and demands for accountability.

The ED’s probe and the recent legal actions underscore the seriousness of the allegations against RG Kar Medical College and its officials, highlighting the intersection of corruption, financial misconduct, and grave criminal incidents.