From molestation to corruption, the many controversies of Sandip Ghosh, RG Kar ex-principal

Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, has found himself at the centre of a growing storm following the gruesome rape and murder case of a junior doctor that came to light last month.

The brutal incident has sparked widespread protests across the nation, with many accusing Ghosh of playing a role in “covering up” the horrific crime at the state run hospital.

But it doesn’t end there as Ghosh is now under the scrutiny of central investigative agencies, including the CBI and ED, for alleged financial misconduct and corruption during his tenure at the hospital.

As the investigation unfolds, Ghosh’s involvement in a slew of crimes and controversies continues to emerge.

Here’s a closer look at the mounting accusations against the embattled former principal.

‘Molested a nurse in Hong Kong’

Seven years ago, Ghosh found himself in legal trouble in Hong Kong after being charged with sexual molestation.

A 2017 South China Morning Post report detailed that an “Indian orthopaedist,” involved in a two-month clinical exchange program at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, had been accused of harassing a male nursing student.

The nurse claimed Ghosh had patted his buttock, attempted to touch his genitals in the changing room, and asked him “Do you like it?” after making inappropriate physical contact, the Hong Kong-based newspaper reported.

Ghosh denied the allegations in Kowloon City Court, pleading not guilty. He argued that the incident was a misunderstanding, explaining that he was demonstrating a method to fix a dislocated shoulder. Any contact with the nurse’s hip, he said, was accidental.

Ghosh also claimed his words had been misunderstood due to his accent, stating he said, “Do it like this,” not “Do you like it?”

The magistrate’s court ruled in Ghosh’s favour while accepting his explanation and recurrent shoulder dislocation condition to clear him in the case.

Purchased ‘questionable’ properties

The former RG Kar Medical College principal, Sandip Ghosh, and his wife, Sangeeta Ghosh, are currently under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency is investigating “questionable” property purchases made by the couple, allegedly “out of proceeds of crime."

In a statement issued on 6 September, the ED revealed that during a search operation at Ghosh’s residence, they “seized various incriminating documents, documents related to properties acquired by Sandip Ghosh and his wife Sangeeta Ghosh, and digital devices.” The probe is based on initial suspicion that these properties were acquired using illicit funds.

The ED had previously searched seven premises linked to Ghosh, including the homes of his relatives and associates. These searches were part of an investigation into misappropriation of funds at RG Kar Medical College.

It was discovered that Sangeeta Ghosh, who was serving as an assistant professor at RG Kar during her husband’s tenure as principal, had purchased two properties without the required approval from authorities.

The ED also noted that while Sangeeta had not initially obtained state government approval for her property acquisitions, she was granted post-facto approval in 2021.

‘Sold unclaimed bodies’

Dr Ghosh has been accused of indulging in the ‘business’ of corpses.

Speaking to India Today TV, Dr Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent of RG Kar, alleged Dr Ghosh was “selling” bodies and embroiled in trafficking biomedical waste such as used gloves and syringes and medical supplies to Bangladesh.

“Sandip Ghosh used to do business with unclaimed dead bodies. A case was also registered against him. He was also involved in trafficking biomedical waste. He used to sell it to the people who were part of his additional security. It was then sent to Bangladesh,” Dr Ali claimed.

He said he had filed a complaint against the former principal last July at the Vigilance Commission Anti-Corruption Department and Swastha Bhawan, reported The Hindu.

Dr Ali said no action was taken against Dr Ghosh even after an investigation found him guilty. He further claimed that he had submitted a report against the ex-principal to the West Bengal health department but to no avail.

“The day I submitted the inquiry report, I was transferred on the same day. The other two members of this [enquiry] committee [against Ghosh] were also transferred. I did whatever I could to save the students from this man, but I failed,” Dr Ali told India Today TV.

Firstpost has not independently verified the claims by Dr Akhtar Ali.

Corruption allegations

Dr Ghosh, who reportedly has close ties to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, has been accused of corruption. The complaint filed by Dr Ali last year to the state vigilance commission accused the then principal of misusing government money, nepotism in selecting vendors and accepting bribes, and irregularities in hiring contractual staff, reported NDTV.

Dr Ali alleged the former RG Kar principal charged a commission on hospital-related tenders, which only went to two close aides of Dr Ghosh, as per the India Today TV report.

“[Dr Ghosh] failed students on purpose, took 20 per cent commission on tenders, took money for hostel allotments, staff selection commission, basically any work that happened in RG Kar like postings, transfer, or housestaffship, he used to take money for everything,” the ex-deputy superintendent was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Dr Ali claimed students were “deliberately” failed so the ex-principal could solicit bribes to pass them, reported India Today TV.

Amid raging protests over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, Dr Ghosh was forced to resign as principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, he was transferred by the state government to Calcutta National Medical College hours after his resignation.

The Calcutta High Court had come down heavily on the TMC government for Dr Ghosh’s swift reinstatement, asking him to go on leave until further directions.

The West Bengal government, which was accused by the opposition of shielding Dr Ghosh, has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar from January 2021. Dr Ghosh became the principal of the medical college in mid-2021.

The Kolkata Police has filed a case against Dr Ghosh under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Corruption Act among other charges, as per The Hindu.

ALSO READ: Kolkata rape-murder case: Why doctors in India are in urgent need for a central protection law

Domestic abuse, other charges

The volley of allegations against Dr Ghosh also includes domestic abuse.

The former neighbours of the ex-principal in Barasat, where he lived for about two years, claimed the doctor assaulted his wife 14 days after she gave birth.

“There was a war of words between me and Ghosh once. His behaviour was always bad. I later found out he was a doctor. During his time here, there was an incident where he beat his wife so badly that her Caesarean stitches tore, and she was bleeding. Initially, locals didn’t interfere because it was seen as a family matter, but when it became too severe, everyone came out and protested,” one of the neighbours told India Today TV.

Dr Ali has alleged the ex-principal of RG Kar supplied alcohol to students at his guest house.

“I have not seen a worse man than him in my entire career. He is like a mafia raja. He used to have 20 people for his personal security and four bouncers. I have never seen a principal have this much influence,” the former deputy superintendent told The Hindu.

With input from agencies