New Delhi: Dr. Sandip Ghosh the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, where a doctor was sexually assaulted and killed this month, has had his membership in the Indian Medical Association terminated.
Afsar Ali Khan, Sandip Ghosh’s enforcer from Belgachia, has built an empire off syndicate cash, now flaunting a ₹40 lakh car at R.G. Kar Hospital.
Last year, this muscle-for-hire was seen in the Deputy Superintendent’s office, speaking with Dr. Manas Banerjee, the Principal.… pic.twitter.com/bOfJT2HCYN
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) August 27, 2024
Allegations Against Dr. Sandip Ghosh
In this case, Dr. Ghosh—who took a lie detector test on Monday—has been charged with carelessness, for neglecting to report the woman’s body to the police when it was discovered. There are corruption allegations against him that are not subject to bail, but he is not charged with the doctor’s murder. However, there have been allegations that Dr. Ghosh’s involvement in the murder is connected to corruption at the RG Kar Hospital. A former employee has accused Dr. Ghosh of trafficking in dead bodies and biomedical waste.
Dr. Ghosh has been questioned by the CBI for almost ninety hours at this point. The agency also conducted a thorough 11-hour search of his Kolkata house and reported that it had found a “wealth of evidence”. In a brief statement, IMA stated that “(parents of the doctor) … put up their grievances against you in dealing with the situation as well as lack of empathy and sensitivity in handling the issue…”
The Investigation: CBI Probe and Protests
The IMA further mentioned the accusations made by physicians in Bengal that Dr. Ghosh’s activities had thrown the profession into shame, and stated that as a result, the disciplinary committee had chosen to suspend him. Since the discovery of the doctor’s body, Dr. Ghosh has been the center of attention. Days later, he resigned, citing moral obligations, but the Bengali government selected him to head the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital in a matter of hours.
The doctor’s murder and CNMC employees both staged violent protests over the action, forcing the Calcutta High Court to step in and order a “long leave” for the doctor. The nomination was also called into doubt by the court, prompting protestors and opponents of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to allege that Dr. Ghosh was being protected by the state administration.
Public Outcry: Reactions and the Role of Government
Further criticism of Dr. Ghosh has come from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court again emphasized last week that the delay in launching a police investigation was intolerable while casting doubt on his involvement in the shady situation.
“Why was the FIR filed nearly 14 hours after the body was discovered? The college principal ought to have arrived right away and given the go-ahead to file the FIR.” With whom was he communicating?” The court enquired. About the doctor’s rape and murder, only one person has been taken into custody: Sanjoy Roy, a volunteer police officer. Following the High Court’s directive for the federal agency to take over the case, the ruling Trinamool and the opposition BJP have scuffled back and forth, arguing over the effectiveness of the CBI in comparison to the state police. In this investigation, the CBI has not yet made any arrests.