PIL Filed In Calcutta HC Challenging SIT Formation Over RG Kar Hospital Financial Irregularities – News18

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in Calcutta High Court challenging the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government to probe alleged financial irregularities, money trail and corruption at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered earlier this month.

The PIL, filed by HC advocate Madhurima Basu and moved by eminent advocate and BJP leader Susmita Saha Dutt, challenges the constitution of the SIT which includes the officers who are themselves involved in the scam.

The petition further mentioned that there is a possibility of altering and wiping out of evidence if the state-formed SIT would probe the matter. The PIL further demanded the investigation into the alleged irregularities by a central probe agency like ED or CBI. It also urged to seize all the bank accounts of institute’s former principal Sandip Ghosh.

Calcutta HC questions Bengal govt

The development a day after the High Court questioned the West Bengal government over the delay in constitution of the probe team.

The Bengal government formed an SIT on August 20, nearly a year after the allegations first surfaced.

Akhtar Ali, the former deputy superintendent of the state-run medical college, petitioned for an investigation By ED into the alleged corruption under the former principal. Ali claimed that he had reported Ghosh’s alleged financial irregularities to state authorities in 2023, yet no substantial action was taken until recently.

During the hearing, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj asked the state government why it had taken a year to form the SIT after the allegations were first reported.

Charges against Ghosh

Ghosh was removed from his position as principal following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9. Ali has alleged that Ghosh was involved in scams related to biomedical waste, the illegal handling of dead bodies, failing students for bribes, awarding unnecessary tenders, and operating unauthorised kiosks on hospital premises.

Meanwhile, the CBI received the court’s approval to conduct a polygraph test on Ghosh and four other doctors who were on duty on the day of the rape and murder of the trainee doctor.