Kolkata doctor rape case: Former RG Kar director questioned by CBI, ex-colleagues allege ‘corruption, mafia operations…’

Rape and murder by doctor in Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is examining the phone calls and chats of Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former director of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with its investigation into the rape and murder of a woman doctor, PTI reported.

On August 18 (Sunday), Ghosh appeared for questioning by CBI officers for the third consecutive day and was interrogated for over 13 hours at the Salt Lake office.

“Ghosh was asked to give details of the calls he made at the hospital before and after the incident. He was asked to specify his role after he got the news of the doctor’s death, who he contacted and why he kept the parents waiting for nearly three hours,” an officer of the central probe agency said.

CBI investigation continues

The sleuths are also considering contacting the mobile operator to obtain details of Ghosh’s phone calls and data usage, the officer told PTI.

He was also asked who had ordered the renovation of the classrooms near the seminar room in the hospital’s emergency building after the incident.

“We’re trying to figure out if there was any conspiracy or premeditation in the crime. What did the director do and if he was involved in the incident in any way,” the officer said.

CBI investigators are also verifying Ghosh’s statements with versions of other doctors and interns who were on duty on the night of the incident. The agency has so far questioned over 20 people, including a few officers from Kolkata Police, in connection with the investigation, the PTI report said.

Ghosh refused to speak to the media as he left the CBI office. But his former colleagues and group mates had a lot to say.

Former colleagues make many accusations

India Today quoted several former group members and colleagues of Dr Ghosh as alleging that his running of the RG Kar Hospital was fraught with “corruption, financial misconduct, extortion of money, illegal commissions, bid rigging, ethical violations – like diversion of dead bodies meant for autopsy to unauthorized purposes, and was mafia-like”.

A professor from another hospital in West Bengal (who requested anonymity) alleged that Dr Ghosh was offered the post of director of RG Kar Medical Hospital and College despite being ranked 16th in the interviews, India Today reported.

Dr Akhtar Ali, former deputy principal of the university, alleged to India Today that Dr Ghosh is “a very corrupt person”.

“He failed students and took 20 percent commission. In the case of tenders, RG Kar extorted money from every work of the medical college and hospital and supplied liquor to students in the hostel. He is like a mafia man, very powerful. I had complained against him earlier in 2023, but then I was transferred,” Dr Ali alleged, adding, “His resignation (after the rape and murder) was a sham. He was appointed principal of Calcutta National Medical College within eight hours.”

A former classmate of Ghosh told India Today that he was “not known for any disreputable behaviour” during his college days, adding that “power can change people”. She also alleged that there was a “pattern” of rapid and questionable career advancement, starting with his first appointment as medical superintendent cum vice-principal (MSVP) of National Medical College.

The report states that the West Bengal State Health Department took action on complaints against Dr. and initiated an inquiry, but the inquiry was withdrawn due to the ‘support’ and protests of some interns and a group of students.

SC takes cognizance of rape-murder in Kolkata

Amid growing outrage over the case, the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter on its own initiative and is likely to take up the case on August 20, PTI reported.

According to the August 20 list of cases uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear a case titled ‘In Re: Alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related matter’.

Action by the state government

The West Bengal government on August 17 announced a series of measures to ensure the safety of women at workplaces. The measures were announced by Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Among the announcements is the introduction of special rest areas and camera-monitored “safe zones” in state hospitals, where women are also required to work night shifts.

On August 9, the body of the postgraduate trainee was found in the seminar hall of the government hospital in Kolkata. The next day, a civilian volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime. Later, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI.