The CBI on Monday arrested three others, besides the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh, in connection with the alleged financial irregularities at the establishment. These include Ghosh's security guard Afsar Ali, and vendors Suman Hazra and Biplab Singha.
Ghosh was arrested on Monday after being quizzed for 15 consecutive days since August 16 over his alleged involvement in the financial misconduct in the hospital. He also faces charges of negligence in reporting the rape-murder of the trainee doctor to the police.
Ghosh was summoned to the CGO complex on Monday before being arrested. The officials later took him to the CBI office at Nizam Palace.
Within an hour of Ghosh's arrest, the CBI officers picked up his security guard and two vendors who used to supply materials to the hospital. They include Singha, a resident of Sankrail in Howrah who runs 'Ma Tara Traders'. It was Singha's shop that supplied medical equipment to the hospital. The CBI team had raided his house and office in Sankrail recently.
Singha's long association with the hospital began when his father was a former employee there. He started doing odd jobs at the hospital before starting the business of providing medical equipment.
Hazra owner of a Howrah-based medical store allegedly sold recycled medicines from RG Kar Hospital, according to the CBI officials. The sleuths had raided the drug store too.
Ghosh has been charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI took over the case following instructions from the Calcutta HC. The petition in this regard wasd filed by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Dr Akhtar Ali, who prayed for a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during the tenure of its former principal.
North Bengal lobby?
Allegations have surfaced that Ghosh had been running a 'North Bengal lobby' at R G Kar Hospital, where he engaged in gaming the MBBS examination by favouring or discriminating against young students for cash as well as "political" considerations, reported The Times of India. Some officials in the Health Department were aware of his corrupt ways and Ghosh was transferred out of the hospital twice. However, he returned with more might each time.