The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a series of raids this morning in connection with allegations of financial irregularities involving Sandeep Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The raids are part of a broader investigation linked to a high-profile case where a doctor was raped and murdered at the institution.
According to sources, the CBI team arrived at Ghosh’s residence at 6:45 a.m., but he only allowed them entry at 8:00 a.m. The CBI also executed search warrants at the home of Debashish Som, an employee in the state’s forensic department, located in Kolkata’s Beleghata neighborhood.
Additionally, CBI teams searched the residences of former hospital superintendent Sanjay Vashisht and medical supplier Bipal Singh in the Hatgachha area of Howrah district.
The investigation is partly based on information provided by Akhtar Ali, a whistleblower who has alleged significant corruption under Ghosh’s tenure. Ali, who worked at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for 16 years, first as assistant superintendent grade 2 and later as Deputy Superintendent, had previously raised these allegations in the Calcutta High Court. The Kolkata Police’s special investigation team has already recorded his statement.
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Ali has accused the former principal of various illegal activities, including extortion, manipulation of student outcomes, and smuggling of biomedical waste. According to Ali, the institution, once reputed as the top medical college in eastern India, was involved in numerous scams under Ghosh’s administration.
The CBI investigation also ties into the rape and murder case of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The primary suspect, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was identified through CCTV footage showing him near the crime scene. Roy, along with Ghosh and other doctors, underwent lie-detector tests following the crime.
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Reports indicate that Roy, who entered the hospital at 1:03 a.m. on the night of the incident, had visited two brothels in Kolkata’s Sonagachi red-light district prior to arriving at the hospital. During interrogation, Roy allegedly confessed to the crime after being shown the CCTV footage.
