CBI Accuses Former RG Kar Principal of Fund Siphoning and Illegal Appointments

CBI Accuses Former RG Kar Principal of Fund Siphoning and Illegal Appointments

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the rape and murder of a doctor and alleged financial irregularities at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has accused former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh of siphoning off funds and making 84 illegal appointments during his tenure in 2022 and 2023. The allegations were presented before a special court in Alipore on September 3, when Ghosh, along with three others—Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali—was produced. All four are currently in CBI custody.

Dr. Ghosh had been transferred from RG Kar Medical College to a medical institution in Murshidabad in September 2023, but returned within a month to continue his role at RG Kar until the August 9 rape and murder incident. Following the incident, he resigned on August 12 and was immediately posted at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. However, the Calcutta High Court intervened the next day, placing him on leave, and he was later suspended following his arrest by the CBI.

In its court submission, the CBI alleged that Dr. Ghosh bypassed the established process to appoint house staffers of his choice, without following a transparent selection method. “It is suspected that Dr. Sandip Ghosh surpassed the process and straightaway appointed house staffers without adopting a transparent method,” the CBI stated. For 2024, a 13-member committee was formed to handle the selection process, including merit list preparation and counseling for MBBS house staffers. However, the CBI pointed out that for 2022 and 2023, key documents like the resolution and detailed calculation of marks were missing, with only the final selection orders signed by Dr. Ghosh, raising suspicions of irregularities.

On the financial side, the CBI revealed, “Instances have come to light during the investigation indicating siphoning of funds through manipulated tenders, with the money eventually reaching the accused persons.” Further investigations into these financial irregularities are ongoing.

The CBI has arrested Dr. Ghosh and the other accused under sections 120B, 420, 409, and 467 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Sections 7 and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency has also sought to include these sections in the ongoing First Information Report (FIR).

The investigation into the alleged financial misconduct and illegal appointments is continuing as the CBI works to uncover further details.