Who is Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the controversial former director with close ties to TMC?

Ghosh, a resident of Beleghata in central Kolkata, father of two and orthopaedic professor, was appointed principal of RG Kar College and Hospital in Kolkata in mid-2021. Before this, Ghosh was the medical director and deputy director (MSVP) of CNMCH (Calcutta National Medical College).

Ghosh’s time at CNMCH was controversial. However, the same cannot be said of his time at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

“We have heard from students of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital that there was a four-tier security system outside his office. When all the security is deployed to protect him alone, how can such a person ensure the safety of others in the hospital? Criminal proceedings should be initiated against him,” he added. Two students of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who Quint spoke to confirmed that Dr. Ghosh’s office was indeed “heavily fortified.”

In addition, his three-year stay at the RG Kar Hospital was notorious for alleged fraud and irregularities.

Akhtar Ali, deputy director of Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital and former deputy director of RG Kar Hospital, said The Quint that Dr. Ghosh a mafia raj in the hospital.

“Dr Ghosh was involved in various forms of corruption. Such was his influence that health department officials visited his house and made a list of doctors who needed to be transferred,” Akhtar alleged to The Quint.

“His influence and power are a result of the state government’s ‘parallel’ system in healthcare. He is known to have close ties with the ruling party in the state — the Trinamool Congress (TMC),” a former senior faculty member of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who did not wish to be named, told The Quint.

However, Mohammad Tauseef Rahman, a spokesperson for the TMC, denied allegations that the party was protecting Dr Ghosh. “It is absolutely unfair to say that we have something to hide with regard to this principle. Dr Ghosh is an employee of the state government. But that does not necessarily mean that the person is inclined towards our party,” he said. The Quint.

A photo of Dr Ghosh allegedly taken on June 4 this year (the day the Lok Sabha election results were announced and the TMC captured West Bengal) is circulating on social media. It shows Dr Ghosh holding the ‘victory’ board covered in green worship (colour). The photo has further fuelled speculation about his links, affiliation and support for the TMC.

Responding to this, Rahman said, “Many people in West Bengal celebrated the TMC victory. Many ordinary citizens also celebrated. But no one went to them and asked them why they celebrated with the colour green. Too much should not be read into it. Moreover, it is easy to manipulate photographs these days.”