HC transfers probe into RG Kar Hospital fincl irregularities to CBI
This story was originally published at 20:31 IST on 23 August 2024
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NEW DELHI – The Calcutta High Court today transferred the probe into financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to the Central Bureau of Investigation from the state government-formed special investigation team. The court said that the investigation should not be fragmented between different agencies and handing over the investigation to the CBI would ensure consistency. The court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a progress report in the probe within three weeks. The court will hear the case next on Sep 17.
RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has been in the eye of the storm since Aug 9, when a 31-year-old junior doctor was found dead at the seminar hall of the hospital. Reports later confirmed that the junior doctor was raped and murdered, triggering a nationwide protest by doctors. On Aug 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the probe into the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Even the Supreme Court also took suo moto cognisance of the case, and formed a national task force to recommend steps for safety and working conditions of medical professionals.
"...This court directs that the investigation be transferred to the CBI, given that the case involved serious allegations and multiple agencies handling different aspects of the case could lead to inefficiencies or inconsistency for comprehensive justice, unnecessary delays in the judicial process and potential misinterpretation of information thereby undermining effective and credible enforcement," said Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj.
The court said that the investigation should not be fragmented between different agencies and handing over the investigation to the CBI ensures consistency. "The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is directed to hand over the case diary, other records, CCTV footages, statements, if any and all material and matters concerning the case to the CBI by 1000 IST tomorrow (Saturday) i.e. 24th August, 2024," said the court.
In July 2023, Akhtar Ali, the Deputy Superintendent (Non- Medical) at R.G. Kar Medical College had lodged a complaint to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anti Corruption Branch, West Bengal, to expose the persistent irregularities in the ethical practices and operations of the hospital from 2020-23.
Ali had said that the hospital's principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and others were involved in corruption and illegal activities in the institute. Ali had tendered documentary evidence to corroborate the claims of massive corruption, improper utilisation of government funds, selling of used hazardous biomedical waste and transfer of officers for monetary benefit. Ali said that the police opted to remain silent regarding the matter thereby taking no action to investigate or redress the situation.
Ali moved the high court demanding an explanation behind the constitution of a special investigation team by the state government on Aug 16 to conduct investigation into the allegations of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College, subsequent to the unfortunate incident of rape and murder of the junior doctor on Aug 9. The formation of a special investigation team substantiates the allegations of gross irregularities and establishes a nexus with the unfortunate incident that necessitated its constitution to investigate the said irregularities, said Ali.
On Aug 20, the Supreme Court had also pulled up Ghosh for passing off the case as suicide and not allowing her parents to see the body. The top court had also questioned the state government's move to appoint the principal to some other college immediately after his resignation. Ghosh has been questioned by the CBI over the rape-murder case multiple times. End
Reported by Surya Tripathi
Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury
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