NEW DELHI: The RG Kar case, a harrowing incident involving the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has raised concerns about women’s safety in healthcare settings. The brutal crime, committed on August 9, 2023, sent shockwaves across the country, sparking widespread protests and raising serious concerns about law enforcement’s effectiveness.
Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, who was under severe scrutiny in connection to this case, has been arrested today by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The reason behind the arrest is, however, corruption. This arrest comes amid ongoing investigations into financial irregularities at the institute, specifically related to the procurement of materials for patient care. Ghosh had previously resigned from his position on August 12, following the rape and murder of a doctor on duty at the same college. He had appeared before the CBI multiple times, facing scrutiny over his alleged involvement in the case. The recent developments have intensified concerns regarding Ghosh’s professional qualifications and career trajectory.
Sandip Ghosh’s journey to becoming a doctor
Sandip Ghosh’s journey began in the small town of Bangaon, West Bengal. He completed his higher secondary education at Bongaon High School in 1989. Pursuing a career in medicine, Ghosh enrolled at RG Kar Medical College, a prestigious institution in Kolkata, where he earned his medical degree in 1994.
Sandip Ghosh’s professional beginnings and rise
Ghosh’s early career in medicine was marked by steady progression. Initially, his career appeared unremarkable as he advanced through various roles within the medical field.
However, Sandip rose to prominence when he was appointed as the principal of RG Kar Medical College in 2021. This role was a significant leap, marking a return to the institution where he had completed his medical education.
Before joining RG Kar Medical College, Ghosh was the vice-principal at Calcutta National Medical College. Despite being an orthopaedics professor and surgeon, he had been unable to establish a reputation in the field due to professional irregularities, which later came to light during his tenure at RG Kar Medical College, again fraught with controversy.
Sandip Ghosh’s tenure has been fraught with controversy
In June 2023, Dr Ghosh found himself embroiled in controversy when allegations of corruption surfaced. Reports revealed that he was temporarily transferred to Murshidabad Medical College following accusations of financial misconduct and tender manipulation. Despite these serious charges, Ghosh was reinstated to his previous position at RG Kar Medical College within just a few days, raising questions about the swift decision. His return to his alma mater and subsequent tenure as principal at RG Kar Medical College has been marked by ongoing controversy and suspicion.
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Allegations of financial misconduct and nepotism
According to a recent TOI report, Akhtar Ali, the deputy superintendent of Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, previously worked as the deputy superintendent at RG Kar Medical College a year ago. During his time there, Ali wrote to the state vigilance commission, accusing Ghosh and other senior officials of engaging in financial irregularities. The allegations included leasing out government assets without the necessary permissions from Swastha Bhavan or the College Council, using nepotism to select vendors, awarding contracts worth crores to ineligible parties, and demanding a 20% commission from vendors.
Cross-border connection in medical-waste recycling scheme
The accusations go beyond financial misconduct. Ali also claimed that Ghosh was involved in a scheme in which two Bangladeshi nationals collected and recycled 500-600 kilos of used medical supplies, including syringes, saline bottles, and gloves, TOI reports.
CAG Flags Financial Irregularities Linked to Ghosh at RG Kar Medical College
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had identified financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College as early as 2021, coinciding with Sandip Ghosh’s tenure as principal. It was reported that Ghosh repeatedly ignored multiple reminders from the CAG, which led to suspicions of possible concealment of information.
Following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the government instructed hospitals that medicines and equipment would be subject to GST, even for contracts established before GST was introduced. The finance department issued specific guidelines for calculating the base price under the new tax regime. However, the CAG’s 2021 report highlighted that RG Kar Medical College did not adhere to these guidelines, leading to an excess expenditure of ₹1.3 crore.
Ghosh’s swift entry to Calcutta National Medical College (CNMC)
As earlier mentioned, Ghosh resigned from the position of RG Kar Principal on August 12, three days after the rape-murder incident came to light. However, within hours of resigning from RG Kar Medical College, he was reassigned the principal position at Calcutta National Medical College. This swift reassignment raised questions about the decision-making process and the handling of his previous allegations.
Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court intervened on August 13, 2024, ordering Sandip Ghosh to take an extended leave of absence amid ongoing investigations into his actions. Additionally, the court expressed concerns over the speed of his reappointment at Calcutta National Medical College, highlighting irregularities in the management of his career.
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