Former Principal Sandip Ghosh, Vendors Named Under PMLA
Kolkata:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a chargesheet against former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, and three other accused individuals in connection with alleged corruption at the state-run medical institution in Kolkata.
Vendors Accused of Tender Rule Violations
According to news reports, a lawyer present at the special ED court in Kolkata said the chargesheet names Ghosh along with two vendors who supplied medical equipment to the hospital during his tenure. The accused are alleged to have violated tender norms while executing procurement contracts.
ED Confirms Prosecution Complaint
In an official statement, the ED said it had filed a prosecution complaint against Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and three other accused entities. The statement was quoted by Hindustan Times.
CBI Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant
In a related development, a special CBI court on Friday issued a non-bailable warrant against a former deputy superintendent of the hospital in connection with financial irregularities during Ghosh’s tenure. Notably, the officer had earlier acted as a whistleblower, seeking a CBI probe into alleged tender irregularities.
Whistleblower’s Plea Earlier Upheld
The whistleblower’s demand for a CBI investigation had earlier been upheld by both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, adding further significance to the ongoing probe into the hospital’s financial dealings.
Charges Filed Under PMLA
The ED’s Kolkata Zonal Office filed the chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The case is based on an FIR registered by the CBI on August 24, 2024. The prosecution complaint, filed on November 29, 2024, alleges large-scale diversion and laundering of hospital funds.
Alleged Siphoning of Hospital Funds
According to the ED, Ghosh allegedly colluded with contractors to divert funds received from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. These funds were reportedly mixed with other accounts, routed through associate firms, and withdrawn in cash to conceal the money trail.
Case Linked to Earlier Conviction
The corruption case follows the conviction of Sanjoy Roy, a former civic police volunteer, for the rape and murder of the doctor who had initially exposed alleged corruption at the hospital. Authorities have stated that investigations are continuing to uncover the wider network of officials and contractors involved in the fraudulent tender process.
