In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, manipulated recruitment processes and awarded contracts to his associates, as part of an alleged criminal nexus. These financial irregularities have come under scrutiny following the rape and murder of a doctor in the hospital’s seminar room.
The CBI’s investigation points to Dr. Ghosh’s introduction of a non-transparent interview system for appointing medical house staff, where many deserving candidates were excluded. The agency alleges that only final marks were released, bypassing any panel of interviewers. Dr. Ghosh reportedly compiled the recruitment list to favor his chosen candidates.
Further, the CBI is probing the hospital’s contracts, notably how the canteen contract was awarded to Nargis, the wife of Dr. Ghosh’s security guard, in violation of the hospital’s rules. Her company, Eshan Cafe, was awarded the contract in a pre-determined manner, with handwritten bid amounts on documents and even the return of non-refundable caution money. The agency has arrested Dr. Ghosh, his security guard, and two vendors linked to these financial irregularities.
The alleged criminal network operated by Ghosh and his associates has also been accused of selling biomedical waste through unauthorized contracts, causing financial losses to the government.
This investigation follows the tragic death of a female doctor, who was found raped and murdered in the hospital’s seminar room on August 9. After working a grueling 36-hour shift, she had gone to rest in the room. Her autopsy revealed she was assaulted and strangled. Kolkata police have arrested Sanjay Ghosh, a civic volunteer, as the primary suspect in the crime.
The case continues to unfold as the CBI expands its investigation into the hospital’s mismanagement and possible criminal activities under Dr. Sandip Ghosh’s tenure.
