Bengal government sanctions fresh probe against former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
The Statesman | 19 May 2026
The Government of Bengal state government on Monday ordered a fresh probe into the financial irregularities, corruption and money laundering charges against the former principal of the RG KAR Medical College and Hospital.
Sandip Ghosh was the principal of the state-run medical college and hospital when a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee was allegedly raped inside the hospital.
An official order that was issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on May 18, 2026, stated that the sanction was accorded by the Governor of West Bengal, acting as the competent authority, after examining records, documents, and investigation materials submitted by the central agencies.
According to the order, a case was registered at the Tala Police Station on August 19, 2024, under charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The case was subsequently being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation that began investigating the gruesome murder and rape of the doctor inside the hospital.
The CBI subsequently registered a regular case against Ghosh and three firms — Maa Tara Traders, Eshan Café and Khama Louha — over alleged financial irregularities in procurement and allied matters concerning R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The order noted that investigators found prima facie evidence of “criminal acts of commissions and omissions” by Ghosh during his tenure as principal.
The alleged offences were described as scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, prompting the Enforcement Directorate to initiate a parallel in 2024.
The sanction order further stated that the Governor, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, approved prosecution against Ghosh under multiple provisions of criminal and anti-corruption laws, including Section 3 of the PMLA.
Copies of the order were forwarded to senior state officials as well as the Kolkata Zonal Office-I of the Enforcement Directorate for necessary action.
Late on Monday West Bengal Cheif Minister posted on Facebook.
His post read: “Today, as the Chief Minister, I feel fortunate to be able to take a significant and constructive step. In connection with the brutal murder and rape of sister Abhaya at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August 2024, permission has been granted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in accordance with legal procedure, to take lawful action against the then superintendent of R.G. Kar, the notorious Sandeep Ghosh, and prosecute him (Sanction of Prosecution has been accorded).
The previous All India Trinamool Congress government had forcibly and unethically stalled the investigation process of this case for a long time. But we believe that no one is above the law. The truth cannot be suppressed.
I want the real culprits behind sister Abhaya’s case to be identified quickly, receive the strictest punishment, and for the people of Bengal to witness justice being served. I pray for the eternal peace of sister Abhaya’s soul.”