Sandip Ghosh, Ex-Principal of RG Kar, Seeks Police Protection Amid Controversy

Kolkata: Amid the ongoing uproar over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, former Principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking police protection. His controversial tenure, marked by multiple transfer reversals, took a dramatic turn when he resigned on Monday (August 12) but was quickly reinstated in a new position. The High Court has since intervened, criticizing the state government's actions and ordering Dr. Ghosh to take indefinite leave.

Earlier on Tuesday, the High Court rebuked the Mamata Banerjee government for quickly reinstating Dr. Ghosh, instructing him to take an indefinite leave. This decision follows widespread public outrage and protests by medical professionals across the country.

Two days after the Calcutta High Court ordered Dr. Ghosh to take indefinite leave, his former neighbors have come forward with serious allegations. They claim that Ghosh, who lived in the Mallick Bagan area of North 24 Parganas district's Barasat, physically abused his wife shortly after she gave birth. 

According to the neighbors, Ghosh kicked his wife's belly just two weeks after her delivery. The report cites a former neighbor who said, "Sandip Ghosh kicked his wife's belly 14 days after her delivery. That day neighbors went to Sandip's house after hearing the screams. He found out that Sandip kicked his wife's belly. It had been only 14 days since the wife gave birth. Locals rescued her and took her to a hospital...There, the doctors said that several of the woman's stitches had opened due to the impact of the beating." 

The neighbors also alleged that Ghosh used to charge extra fees while seeing patients at his home. The controversial doctor had permanently moved to Kolkata several years ago.

Controversial Tenure of Dr. Sandip Ghosh

The former principal's tenure at RG Kar Medical College has been marked by multiple controversies. He initially resigned citing defamation on social media following the doctor's tragic death. Junior doctors had demanded his removal, accusing him of failing to ensure adequate security for the staff. In response, Dr. Ghosh denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated. He emphasized his cooperation with the police, including the submission of CCTV footage from the hospital.

Dr. Ghosh, who began his term as Principal of RG Kar Medical College in February 2021 after serving as Vice Principal at Calcutta National Medical College, has been embroiled in several disputes:

Student Protests: Shortly after his appointment, more than 350 students protested against the administration's reluctance to establish separate councils for students and hostels. They staged a hunger strike outside Dr. Ghosh's office.

Dissection Practical Controversy: In January 2023, allegations surfaced that bodies intended for autopsy were being used for dissection practicals without the consent of the deceased's families. Dr. Ghosh promised to conduct an internal inquiry.

Transfer Reversals: Dr. Ghosh's tenure has seen multiple transfer orders that were subsequently reversed. In May 2023, he was replaced by Dr. Sanath Ghosh as Principal of RG Kar, but the order was reversed within 24 hours after Dr. Sandip Ghosh allegedly locked his office to prevent his successor from taking charge. In September 2023, another transfer to Murshidabad Medical College was met with resistance from students, leading to another reversal and his reinstatement at RG Kar in October 2023.

Rapid Reappointment: On Monday, just four hours after resigning from RG Kar Medical College, Dr. Ghosh was appointed to a new position at National Medical College. This swift reappointment, however, was halted by the High Court's intervention.

Nation-wide Protest

The death of the trainee doctor on August 9, 2023, has sparked nationwide protests among the medical community. The victim's family has alleged that she was raped and murdered, further intensifying the public outcry and putting additional pressure on authorities.

As the case continues to unfold, Dr. Ghosh's controversial past and the government's handling of his resignation and reappointment have become focal points in the broader discussion about accountability and justice.

On August 15, the Indian Medical Association has announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services from 6 am on August 17 to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility. Essential services will be maintained and casualty wards operational, the medical body said in a statement issued late on Thursday night.

The call for the nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services was taken after a meeting with state branches of the IMA.

The IMA on Thursday condemned the vandalism at the Kolkata hospital where doctors have been protesting since August 9 evening following the alleged rape and murder of the woman medic.