Kolkata doctor rape-murder: For ex-R G Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, a fortnight seems to be a lifetime
Times of India | 25 August 2024
Sandip Ghosh with CP Vineet Goyal a few hours after the crime (left); Sandip Ghosh at CBI’s CGO Complex office on Saturday (right) KOLKATA: From authoritatively taking the city CP around the hospital campus a few hours after the crime to having to accede to a polygraph test after eight days of sustained CBI grilling, a fortnight is a long time if you happen to be Sandip Ghosh.
The controversial ex-R G Kar principal, who has been under fire on several counts ranging from multiple corruption charges to his high handedness in dealing with the brutal murder and rape of one of his students, has a transformed body language now - the nonchalance and arrogance that were on show the morning after the incident has been replaced by a defensive and scared demeanour even as Ghosh has been cowering to hide his face and literally running away from the posse of media personnel who have been waiting to question him at the gates of the CBI's CGO complex.
The spring in his steps has been replaced by the scurry of a persecuted man, haunted by thousands of aggressive protesters who have taken over city streets demanding justice for the 31-year-old victim. Accusations and charges against Ghosh have been streaming in from multiple quarters, including a section of his ex-colleagues, one of whom has charged him with serious financial irregularities. The CBI grilling has evidently left him drained of the confidence that he exuded merely a fortnight ago.
Ghosh had resigned from his post on Aug 12 only to be reinstated as the principal of Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital within four hours, a move that was struck down next day by the high court.
The altered body language is the result of a quick loss of confidence and a feeling of being cornered, said psychiatrist Jayranjan Ram. "He had a feeling of invincibility which has eroded in a period of seven days. From being in charge and in full control of things, Ghosh suddenly found himself surrounded by allegations that have resurfaced to haunt him, other than the more serious and immediate charge of trying to hide facts of the case," added Ram.
From facing the press confidently a day after the incident, Ghosh scurried to HC seeking a gag order on charges against him. He also sought protection from court which was turned down. Ghosh was asked by the court to ask the state govt for it. As the wave of protests swarmed the city and spread across the state and the rest of the country, the tainted ex-principal approached HC again, this time seeking security for his family.
He claimed that his life was in danger. This time, the court asked the state to arrange cop protection for him. But Ghosh is far from feeling safe yet, said psychologist Soumya Mukherjee. "The shift in his demeanour from confidence to jittery needs to be seen through the lens of a semi-criminal mindset, where initial overconfidence gives way to anxiety as the reality of the situation sets in," said Mukherjee.
Ghosh would move around with four privately appointed 'bouncers' in the hospital. He is accused of 'smuggling out' unclaimed bodies from R G Kar. CBI may now dig up the charges which could be probed afresh.