CBI Takes Over Probe into RG Kar Medical College Financial Irregularities

The Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation of alleged financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from a state-constituted SIT to the CBI. Former deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali had requested an ED probe into the misconduct under former principal Sandip Ghosh. The CBI must report progress within three weeks.

The Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation into alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday.

The decision came in response to a petition filed by former deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali, who sought an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institution under its former principal, Sandip Ghosh.

Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj directed the CBI to submit a progress report within three weeks and has scheduled a follow-up hearing for September 17. The court ordered that relevant documents be handed over to the CBI by 10 AM on Saturday.

Ghosh's lawyer sought an urgent hearing against the single bench order but was refused by a division bench.

The West Bengal government had established the SIT on August 20, a year after the allegations first surfaced. Ali claimed to have reported the financial irregularities to state authorities in 2023. Public outcry led to Ghosh's removal as principal following the rape-murder of a trainee doctor, which intensified scrutiny on the institution.

(With inputs from agencies.)