Supreme Court Rejects Ex-Medical Principal's Plea Against CBI Probe

The Supreme Court declined to hear former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh's plea against a Calcutta High Court order for a CBI investigation into alleged financial irregularities. The apex court stated Ghosh lacks the standing to intervene in the public interest litigation related to the case.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain the plea of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to order a CBI investigation into a graft case. Ghosh objected to adverse remarks made against him in the High Court's order.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra rejected Ghosh's plea, stating that he lacked the locus to intervene in a public interest litigation alleging financial irregularities at the institution.

Ghosh's counsel clarified that his client was not against the CBI investigation, but objected to the High Court's observations linking him to serious allegations, including the RG Kar rape incident. The Supreme Court maintained that the incidents occurred under Ghosh's tenure as principal, making it a matter for investigation, and requested a status report from the CBI.

The Calcutta High Court had ordered the CBI to submit a progress report on the investigation. Following this order, the CBI registered an FIR against Ghosh for alleged corruption. Subsequently, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Kolkata suspended Ghosh's membership amid the probe. The CBI also conducted polygraph tests on Ghosh regarding the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

Earlier on Friday, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) raided Ghosh's residence and other locations in Kolkata in connection with financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. The ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Ghosh, who is currently in CBI custody. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)