An orthopaedics professor, Ghosh’s tenure at R G Kar was marred by multiple controversies. This time, however, Ghosh, finds himself in a far tougher spot with the state government setting up a SIT to probe alleged financial irregularities at the hospital since January 2021.
Allegations of corruption were first raised in June last year, following which Ghosh, 54, was transferred to Murshidabad Medical College. However, he was brought back within 15 days and reinstated as principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.
On July 14 last year, Akhtar Ali, Deputy Superintendent of R G Kar Medical College, had written to the state vigilance commission, accusing Ghosh of serious irregularities, including in issuing tenders for works carried out in the institution, “illegal selling of used hazardous biomedical wastes through his additional security personnel” and “misuse of Covid funds for creation of a gym and furnishing of office chambers”.
According to sources in the Health Department, an inquiry was initiated into the allegations but the findings were never made public. On Tuesday, Ali moved the Calcutta HC seeking an investigation by the ED into the corruption charges raised against Ghosh.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ali said, “Besides submitting proof of my allegations to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and State Vigilance Department, I personally met the officers concerned. Yet, nothing happened — except that I was transferred to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital… The CBI should investigate these allegations against him.” Then, in September 2023, corruption charges were again levelled against Ghosh and a few trainee doctors. Once again, Ghosh was transferred to Murshidabad Medical College on September 11, 2023. But he was back at R G Kar by October 2023.
Amid the nationwide protests by doctors, Ghosh was forced to step down as principal of RG Kar. While he was appointed principal of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH) within hours of his resigning from RG Kar Hospital, protests forced the government to cancel his CNMCH appointment. On Thursday, Ghosh was questioned by the CBI over the rape-murder for the seventh straight day. A local court has allowed the CBI plea for conducting a polygraph test on Ghosh.
Repeated calls to Ghosh went unanswered. His advocate Biswarup Bhattacharya told The Indian Express: “The matters are sub-judice… I have nothing to comment on.”
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