Court Denies Bail to Former College Principal in High-Profile Case

A CBI court denied bail to Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College, citing the grave nature of accusations that could lead to capital punishment. Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal are accused of tampering with evidence in the rape and murder case of a doctor at the state-run hospital.

A designated CBI court, denying bail to former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh, has observed that the nature and gravity of the accusation against him is grave and it can attract capital punishment if proved.

The CBI had arrested Ghosh and former officer in-charge of Tala police station, Abhijit Mondal, for alleged tampering of evidence and delay in filing of FIR in the rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run hospital on August 9.

The court in its order, dictated on September 25, said it appears from the case diary that the process of investigation by the central probe agency is in full swing.

Denying the bail prayer of Ghosh, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate S Dey observed that the nature and gravity of the accusation is grave and if proved, it may attract capital punishment, which is handed in the rarest of rare cases.

The judge said the court is of the opinion that "it would be injustice flouting the principle of equity to release the accused on bail".

He said in the order that a person may commit an offence with the help of other/s, and there is no need to be present for the other accused at the place of occurrence.

The court also rejected the bail prayer of Abhijit Mondal.

It granted the CBI's prayer for judicial custody of the two accused till September 30.

Ghosh's counsel claimed before the judge at Sealdah Court here that he was falsely implicated in the case, and there was no act on his part to commit the crime as alleged. The postgraduate trainee's body was found with severe injuries in the seminar hall of the RG Kar hospital on August 9.

(With inputs from agencies.)