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The CBI team is at the residence of former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh. (Picture: Ani)
The former headteacher is under scanner for allegedly destroying evidence in rape and murder cases and has been questioned by the CBI's Special Crime Team for seven consecutive days.
The troubles facing Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar, are increasing day by day. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered financial irregularities against Ghosh and raided two of Ghosh's residences on Sunday. In a search that lasted more than 12 hours, CBI officers seized “critical documents”. The investigation team was seen returning to the Nizam's office in Kolkata late at night with several documents recovered from Ghosh's residence.
The FIR, based on a complaint lodged by former Deputy Superintendent of Police Akhtar Ali and Senior Special Secretary (Health), names Sandeep Ghosh and three private companies – Tara Traders of Madhya Jorehat, Banipur, Howrah, Ehsan Cafe and Khana Louha.
All four persons in the FIR were charged with criminal conspiracy, fraud and corruption under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Akhtar Ali alleged before the Calcutta High Court that M/S Ehsan Cafe did not have any necessary documents required to set up and operate a cafeteria at RG Kar Medical College but did so without consulting the college council. The contract was obtained under the circumstances.
The former deputy director alleged that M/S Khama Louha did not obtain the necessary license from FSSAI but was given a contract to operate a food stall on government land in RG Kar. Ali claimed in the High Court: “There was an unethical association between the principal and the vendor because although he knew it was an illegal food stall, he did nothing to stop it.”
Ali alleged that M/S Tara Traders, which supplies food items, was favored by Sandeep Ghosh when it tendered for RG Kar's skill lab in 2022.
The CBI on Sunday lodged an inquiry at 15 locations, including the three companies, two establishments linked to Sandeep Ghosh, former director Sanjay Bashisht, vendor Biplab Singh and forensic demonstrator Dr Debashish Som. Som and his wife were also later taken to the CBI 'Nizam' office in Kolkata.
Polygraph detection, raids and delayed entry
Dr. Sandeep Ghosh initially refused CBI detectives entry to his residence in Kolkata. The former headteacher is under scanner for allegedly destroying evidence in rape and murder cases and has been questioned by the CBI's Special Crime Team for seven consecutive days. He also took a lie detector test Saturday in connection with the case.
But on Sunday, RG Kar's former “strongman” kept the CBI Kolkata team waiting for more than an hour when it came to investigate the corruption case transferred by the Calcutta High Court. The CBI is likely to question him further after checking his bank account details, property documents, digital devices and other documents. A team from the agency also visited the administrative district of RG Kar in connection with the investigation.
The Bengali opposition claimed that Ghosh was spreading terror in RG Kar with the help of “West Bengal bigwigs” to cover up his corrupt activities.
