The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple locations in West Bengal, including Howrah, Sonarpur, and Hooghly, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The raids, part of a broader probe into a financial scam, included a search of the residence of a relative of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, in Hooghly.
This investigation stems from a case of financial misconduct tied to the government-run hospital, which gained national attention in August when a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered on the premises, sparking protests across the country. Dr. Ghosh, who served as principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023, has been under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the scandal.
The ED’s search operations come after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr. Ghosh and others, accusing them of financial misconduct at the hospital. The FIR includes charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonesty, along with violations under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with public servants involved in corrupt activities. These charges are serious, with the crimes being cognisable and non-bailable in nature.
Last week, the ED registered a case following the CBI’s findings, further intensifying the investigation into the hospital’s financial dealings during Dr. Ghosh’s tenure. The CBI’s initial probe linked the corruption case to the murder investigation of the trainee doctor, heightening the complexity of the case. Dr. Ghosh was named in the CBI’s FIR, leading to his arrest on September 2. He has since been in the custody of the central agency.
Despite being transferred from his role in October 2023, Dr. Ghosh resumed his position at RG Kar Medical College just a month later, remaining in the post until the day of the tragic murder. The series of events has raised concerns about corruption and administrative failures at the hospital, further fueling public outrage.
The ED’s ongoing raids are expected to yield more information about the financial irregularities that took place under Dr. Ghosh’s leadership, as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the scam. With both the ED and CBI actively pursuing leads, the case continues to unfold, drawing significant public and media attention.
