ED raids houses of ex-principal of RG Kar hospital, aides over financial irregularities

ED raids Former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh's home

On Friday, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials carried out simultaneous search operations at the residences of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and three of his associates in connection with suspected financial irregularities at the state-run institution.

The raids took place at Ghosh's Beliaghata home, as well as two other locations in Howrah and Subhasgram, according to a source from the agency.

These actions come as part of a broader investigation following an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed against Ghosh, which functions similarly to a First Information Report (FIR) in criminal cases.

Ghosh and his three associates are currently in CBI custody, having been detained in connection with the ongoing probe.

The inquiry gained momentum after an August 23 ruling by the Calcutta High Court that transferred the investigation from a state-formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This decision followed a petition by Dr. Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent of the hospital, who called for an ED investigation into various financial misconduct allegations during Ghosh’s time as principal.

Ghosh held the principal position at RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. He was briefly transferred in October 2023 but was reinstated just a month later. Dr. Ali, who raised the initial concerns, also hinted at a possible link between the corruption and a doctor's death, speculating that the victim might have been aware of the financial wrongdoings and threatened to expose them.

The ED continues its investigation, with further developments expected as the case unfolds.