Kolkata
West Bengal Clears Legal Proceedings Against Ex-Medical College Principal
The West Bengal government has formally approved the prosecution of former R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh in connection with alleged financial irregularities and corruption linked to procurements at the institution. The sanction follows a Calcutta High Court order and investigations by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate into alleged offences under corruption, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering laws.
The West Bengal government has granted formal sanction for the prosecution of Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in connection with an alleged financial irregularities case linked to the institution.
The action follows an order issued by the Calcutta High Court on August 23, 2024, in the matter of Akhtar Ali versus The State of West Bengal and Others. Following the court’s direction, the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe and registered a regular case on August 24, 2024.
The investigation concerns alleged irregularities in procurement processes and related financial dealings at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital involving Sandip Ghosh and three other entities.
According to officials, investigators found prima facie evidence suggesting criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption-related offences. The allegations invoke provisions under Section 120B read with Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, amended in 2018.
As these offences fall under the scheduled offences category of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also initiated a parallel investigation into suspected money laundering activities connected to the case.
Invoking powers under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Governor 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 enables a competent court to formally take cognizance of the offences and proceed with prosecution against the former principal. The development marks a major step in the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and administrative misconduct at one of West Bengal’s prominent government-run medical institutions.
Key Legal Provisions Invoked
| Law | Relevant Sections |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) | Sections 61 & 318 |
| Prevention of Corruption Act | Section 7 |
| Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) | Section 3 |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) | Sections 120B & 420 |
