Bengal’s Health Department Suspends Sandip Ghosh After Arrest In RG Kar Corruption Case

New Delhi: A day after his arrest in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the medical establishment during his tenure, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh was suspended by West Bengal’s Health Department.

“In view of the ongoing criminal investigation against Prof (Dr) Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, Prof (Dr) Ghosh is placed under suspension under Rule 9 (1c) of West Bengal Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1971 with immediate effect,” an official notification read.

On Tuesday, the former principal of RG Kar MCH was sent to eight days of police custody in connection with a corruption case stemming from financial irregularities in the medical establishment. Afsar Ali Khan, “personal bouncer” of Ghosh, and two vendors who used to supply materials to the hospital– Biplav Singha and Suman Hazara– have also been arrested by the CBI, News18 reported.

Ghosh, who was removed from his chair at RG Kar Hospital after the crime came to light and reinstated in the same position at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital within hours by the Mamata Banerjee government, has subsequently been asked to go on an indefinite leave in the wake of massive protests and pending the corruption inquiry.

Notably, the hospital’s former deputy superintendent Dr Akhtar Ali had lodged complaints of financial irregularities on multiple counts at the establishment during Ghosh’s tenure as principal. The CBI’s Special Crime Branch is probing the rape and murder case while the anti-corruption wing is investigating Ghosh’s role in the financial irregularities case.