The PIL, filed by HC advocate Madhurima Basu, alleges the SIT includes officers who were allegedly involved in the scam.
The Calcutta High Court on Friday transferred the probe into the alleged financial irregularities, money trail and corruption at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during Sandip Ghosh’s tenure as principal from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court noted that multiple agencies probing similar facts would lead to delay and inefficiencies. “This court directs the investigation be transferred to CBI as multiple investigation will lead to injustice…investigation should not be fragmented to different agencies…SIT directed the case diary and CCTV footage to CBI by 10 AM tomorrow,” the order read.
A day earlier, the Calcutta High Court had questioned the West Bengal government over the delay in constitution of the probe team. The Bengal government formed an SIT on August 20, nearly a year after the allegations first surfaced.
Earlier today, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in Calcutta High Court challenging the formation of SIT by Bengal government to probe the alleged financial irregularities at the institution.
The PIL was filed by advocate Madhurima Basu and moved by advocate and BJP leader, Susmita Saha Dutt.
According to the petitioner, the SIT includes officers who were allegedly involved in the scam.
The petition further alleged there was a possibility of tampered the evidence if the probe was carried out by the SIT.
Further, the PIL demanded the investigation be carried out by a central probe agency (the Enforcement Directorate or the Central Bureau of Investigation). It also urged to seize all the bank accounts of the institute’s former principal, Sandip Ghosh.
Calcutta High Court questions Bengal government
A day earlier, the Calcutta High Court had questioned the West Bengal government over the delay in constitution of the probe team.
The Bengal government formed an SIT on August 20, nearly a year after the allegations first surfaced.
Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of the state-run medical college, petitioned for an investigation by the ED into the alleged corruption under the former principal.
Ali claimed that he had reported Ghosh’s alleged involvement in the financial irregularities to state authorities in 2023. However, no substantial action was taken until recently.
During the hearing, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj asked the state government as to why it had taken a year to form the SIT after the allegations were first reported.
Charges against Ghosh
Ghosh was removed from his position as principal following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9 this year.
Ali has alleged that Ghosh was also involved in scams related to biomedical waste, the illegal handling of dead bodies, passing students in exams in exchange for bribes, awarding unnecessary tenders, and operating unauthorised kiosks on hospital premises.
Meanwhile, in the latest, the CBI received the court’s approval to conduct a polygraph test on Ghosh and four other doctors who were on duty on the day of the rape and murder of the trainee doctor.
