SC Dismisses Sandip Ghosh's Plea Challenging CBI Probe in RG Kar Financial Irregularities Case

New Delhi: Supreme Court has dismissed the plea filed by RG Kar ex-principal Sandip Ghosh, challenging Calcutta High Court's order of CBI probe in the financial irregularities case. The apex court has said that the 'accused cannot direct the way in which investigation is to take place'.

Setback for Sandip Ghosh, SC Dismisses Plea Challenging Calcutta HC Order

Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who is currently under CBI custody, had moved Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court's order in the Financial Irregularities Case. Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed the plea.

‘You Have No Locus to Intervene in PIL as Accused’: CJI DY Chandrachud

While hearing the plea, CJI DY Chandrachud said, “As an accused you have no locus to intervene in the PIL, where the HC is monitoring the investigation. You were the principal of the college when this incident happened. When the High Court is hearing and monitoring the case, you cannot become a party in the case because you are an accused.”

CJI DY Chandrachud further said, “Let's not stultify the investigation, us being the Highest Court will also ensure there is fair investigation. Let CBI apprise us in the status report. Dismissed.”

Sandip Ghosh Had Moved Supreme Court

Former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the Calcutta High Court order transferring the corruption case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI on Monday arrested Sandip Ghosh and three others in connection with the alleged financial irregularities at the facility, which is under intense scrutiny over alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor there last month.

ED Conducts Raids at Sandip Ghosh's Residence

In a latest development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently conducting raids at five to six locations in Kolkata, with respect to the financial irregularities case under the tenure of Sandip Ghosh, at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The raids are being conducted at the residence of the ex-principal of the RG Kar Hospital and his close aide Biplav Singha, who are both under CBI custody currently

All About RG Kar Financial Irregularities Case

On August 23, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The direction came in response to a petition by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Dr Akhtar Ali, who prayed for a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during Ghosh's tenure as its principal.

Ghosh served as principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from RG Kar in October that year but inexplicably returned to that position within a month. He held his position at the hospital till the day the hospital doctor was found dead. Ali had moved the High Court amid speculations on whether the alleged rampant corruption at the institution was in any way connected to the RG Kar medic's death, with the victim being privy to these misconduct and threatening exposure.

Ali had also alleged that his complaints before the state vigilance commission and anti-corruption bureau filed over a year ago against Ghosh not only yielded little result, but also led to his own transfer from the institution. In his plea before the high court, Ali accused Ghosh of illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste and passing tenders against commission paid by medicine and medical equipment suppliers. Ali also alleged that students were pressured to pay amounts ranging between Rs.5 and 8 lakhs to pass exams.