West Bengal govt allows ED to prosecute former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College in financial irregularity case

The West Bengal government has granted formal sanction for the prosecution of Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. The legal action follows an order passed by the Calcutta High Court on 23rd August 2024 in the case of Akhtar Ali versus The State of West Bengal and Others. The case was later taken over by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI, which registered a regular case on 24th August 2024.

The investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities in various procurements and related matters at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital involving Sandip Ghosh and three other entities.

Based on the findings of the investigation, a prima facie case has been established against Ghosh for criminal acts of commission and omission punishable under Section 120B read with Section 420 of the IPC, along with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018. Since these offences fall under the scheduled offences listed in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the Enforcement Directorate has also initiated a probe.

Invoking powers under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Governor has sanctioned prosecution under Sections 61 and 318 of the BNSS, Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The sanction clears the way for a competent court to take cognizance of the offences and proceed with the prosecution of the former principal.