CBI searches Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College officials over corruption allegations

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a major operation on Sunday, raiding multiple locations in Kolkata linked to former RG Kar Medical College principal, Dr Sandip Ghosh, and his relatives. The raids were part of an extensive investigation into alleged corruption within the institution.

According to CBI sources, searches were carried out at 15 different locations across the city, targeting properties associated with Dr Ghosh and his family members. In addition to these locations, CBI officials also visited the residence of Dr Debashish Som, a Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, early on Sunday.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: CBI Anti Corruption Branch reached RG Kar Medical College and hospital former principal Sandip Ghosh's residence.

CBI started a corruption investigation against Sandeep Ghosh by filing an FIR, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/5javxphaB8

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

The investigation was prompted by a complaint lodged three days prior by Akhtar Ali, the former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Ali’s complaint detailed allegations of corruption and irregularities at the institution, specifically implicating Dr Som.

On Saturday, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh, acting on instructions from the Calcutta High Court. This action follows a directive from a single bench of the High Court, which mandated a probe into the corruption claims at the medical college.

Earlier in the week, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the Calcutta High Court provided crucial documents to the CBI, which facilitated the filing of the FIR. The CBI promptly submitted a copy of the FIR to the Alipur Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court on Saturday.

The Calcutta High Court has given the CBI three weeks to report on the investigation’s progress, with the next update scheduled for September 17.

In a related development, the Supreme Court ordered the security of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This decision came during a suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, whose body was discovered in the seminar hall of the medical college on August 9.