Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, July 14, 2025 : In a significant development in the long-pending financial corruption case involving RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Alipore CBI Court has formally framed charges against five individuals, including the former principal, Dr. Sandeep Ghosh. This marks a major milestone in the high-profile case that has sent ripples through the state’s healthcare and administrative circles.
The individuals named in the charge sheet are Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, Afsar Ali, Biplob Singh, Suman Hazra, and Ashish Pandey—all of whom are currently in judicial custody. Charges have been filed under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, including IPC 420 (cheating), IPC 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), IPC 467 and 468 (forgery), as well as Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court has scheduled the formal trial to begin on July 22.
According to the CBI chargesheet submitted to the court on November 29, 2024, the accused were involved in systematic embezzlement of government funds through rigged tender processes for over three years. The probe has revealed that tenders for purchasing medical equipment worth crores of rupees were awarded to select contractors believed to be close associates of the then principal, Dr. Sandeep Ghosh. These alleged malpractices were first brought to light by the then deputy superintendent of the hospital, whose written complaint triggered the central investigation.
The CBI arrested Dr. Ghosh first, followed in quick succession by Biplob Singh, Afsar Ali, Suman Hazra, and Ashish Pandey. The central agency claims to possess substantial evidence indicating the deliberate misuse of public funds and procedural violations within the hospital’s procurement system.
Apart from financial mismanagement, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has also been under public scrutiny for a separate but equally disturbing case. On August 9, 2024, the hospital was rocked by the rape and murder of a young female doctor, whose body was discovered in the seminar hall on the fourth floor of the emergency department. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer stationed at the hospital, was arrested and later convicted with a life sentence by a lower court.
Following that incident, the CBI also turned its attention toward Dr. Sandeep Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal, then Officer-in-Charge of Tala police station, for their alleged roles in tampering with and destroying evidence related to the crime. Though both were granted bail in the rape and murder case, Ghosh remains in jail custody on corruption charges.
These incidents have further exposed troubling gaps in the functioning of public healthcare institutions in the state, particularly in areas of accountability, procurement, and internal oversight. The RG Kar scandal, involving both financial and criminal misconduct, has become emblematic of the systemic vulnerabilities afflicting government-run medical facilities.
As the trial begins on July 22, observers expect the proceedings to potentially unveil deeper layers of corruption, misuse of authority, and administrative lapses. Both the verdict of the court and the upcoming steps taken by the CBI will be closely watched, as the case continues to raise urgent questions about governance and transparency in West Bengal’s healthcare system.