"Move to save ex-principal Sandip Ghosh": BJP slams Bengal govt probe into financial lapses in controversial hospital

Kolkata: The BJP on Tuesday slammed West Bengal government for constituting a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged financial irregularities in the controversial R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, calling it an attempt to derail the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into a doctor's murder and rape in the institution earlier this month.

The BJP alleged the financial probe was a ploy to enable the SIT arrest the now-removed college principal Sandip Ghosh and save him from possible CBI arrest in the murder case.

Meanwhile, Ghosh again appeared before the CBI officials on Tuesday as the federal agency continued his questioning in the rape and murder of a 31-year-old lady medic in the hospital's chest seminar room on August 9.

The Bengal government on August 16 constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a probe into allegations of financial irregularities in the hospital since January 2021. The hospital's now-removed principal Ghosh, who is now under the the CBI scanner in the murder and rape case, was the chief of the hospital during the period being checked for financial lapses.

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya, in a social media post, said, "WB Govt constitutes a SIT to probe allegations of financial irregularities by Dr Sandeep Ghosh, the disgraced Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. 4 IPS officers are part of the SIT. How are police officers equipped to investigate financial crimes? This is nothing but Mamata Banerjee’s move to save Ghosh. WB Police will arrest Sandeep Ghosh, just in time, to stop the CBI from taking him into custody."

<

Now, WB Govt constitutes a SIT to probe allegations of financial irregularities by Dr Sandeep Ghosh, the disgraced Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. 4 IPS officers are part of the SIT. How are police officers equipped to investigate financial crimes?

This is… pic.twitter.com/26BUsI9KP0

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 19, 2024 >

The notification from state government said the SIT, headed by inspector general of police Pranav Kumar, will have the “liberty to access any relevant document from government departments and private agencies required for expeditious completion of the inquiry”.

The BJP's criticism of the government's financial probe against the hospital came amid reports that West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose called on Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday and sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. He is also likely to meet Union ministers Amit Shah and J P Nadda, sources said.

Before leaving for New Delhi on Monday, Bose said, "The women folk are unsafe under the present government in Bengal".

Barring the emergency services, the outdoor patient department services across hospitals in the state were largely affected for the 12th straight day on Tuesday as junior medics continued their stir demanding justice for the young medic.

The parents of the murdered medic also demanded that city Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal should also be questioned by the CBI as they did not get proper help during the traumatic period and their daughter was hastily cremated.