Calcutta High Court Demands Clarification from West Bengal Government and Addresses Concerns Over Investigation Delays and Police Inaction
The Calcutta High Court has asked the West Bengal government to clarify whether the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will handle the probe into alleged financial irregularities involving Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Court’s inquiry follows a plea from Akhtar Ali, the former Deputy Superintendent at the hospital, who has accused Ghosh of serious misconduct.
During the hearing, Single-judge Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj stated that the Court would decide solely on who should conduct the investigation, not on the merits of the allegations. “I am not getting into the allegations themselves. My concern is whether the SIT or CBI will investigate. That is the issue we will address,” Justice Bharadwaj said.
The Court will continue hearing the matter at 12 PM tomorrow. In response to Akhtar Ali’s request for police protection due to threats following his complaints, the Court directed him to provide his phone number to facilitate protection.
Justice Bharadwaj emphasized that the Court will not review the specifics of the complaints about financial irregularities. “I will not address the content of the complaints. The investigation is ongoing, and I will hear you, but not on the details of the complaints,” the judge clarified.
Dr. Ghosh has been a focal point of controversy following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital on August 9, which has led to nationwide outrage. Although Ghosh resigned from his position, he was promptly appointed as the principal of another college. The Court had previously criticized this move, accusing the State of “rewarding” Ghosh amid allegations of victim-blaming.
Ali’s plea outlines serious charges against Ghosh, including mismanagement of dead bodies, reselling of biowaste, and misuse of public funds. Despite submitting complaints to the Anti-Corruption Bureau of West Bengal, Ali claimed no action was taken against Ghosh. The plea argues that Ghosh’s connections with political leaders and higher officials are protecting him from accountability.
During the hearing, Ali’s counsel noted that despite repeated complaints since 2023, no action was taken until after the recent tragic incident. The Court questioned why the SIT was formed only after the event and why the police had not acted earlier despite being aware of the issues since 2021.
The State’s counsel responded that the formation of the SIT was a recent development and argued that the investigation must continue. The Court noted that the State police had already identified financial irregularities, indicating that the problem was recognized, even though the SIT was only recently established.
(With inputs from agency)
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