The Calcutta High Court has mandated that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former head of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, take an extended leave. This follows the tragic incident last week in which a doctor was raped and murdered at the hospital. Dr. Ghosh, who had resigned in the wake of the incident, citing his emotional distress and resignation statement, “the girl who died was like my daughter… as a parent, I am resigning,” was swiftly reappointed as Principal of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital just a day later.
The court has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of the case, questioning whether Dr. Ghosh’s apparent lack of empathy and the rapid reassignment to another prestigious position were appropriate responses to the incident. Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam highlighted, “The Principal is the guardian of all doctors working there… if he doesn’t show any empathy who will show? He should be at home not working anywhere.”
The court’s criticism extended to the delays and perceived insensitivity in informing the victim’s family about the case, as well as the possibility that Dr. Ghosh was being protected. “Why do you protect him?… Let him tell the truth… something is missing here,” the court remarked.
Dr. Ghosh had stayed in Paris to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding a joint silver medal following his disqualification from the Paris Olympics. He was represented by senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, and the CAS hearing was held on Friday. Despite the court’s pressure, it extended the verdict announcement deadline to Tuesday, 9:30 pm IST.
The court’s scrutiny also included the gruesome details of the victim’s injuries, which have sparked nationwide protests from doctors demanding safer workplaces. The court has emphasized the need for heightened security measures and greater sensitivity from the state authorities.
Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the crime. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given the state police a deadline until Sunday to complete their investigation, with the possibility of the CBI taking over if progress is not satisfactory.
