Sandip Ghosh (centre), former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was arrested by India's Central Bureau of Investigation in Kolkata on Monday. (PTI file)
While the rape-murder case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital shocked the nation, it also drew attention to the corrupt nexus of medical colleges in Bengal
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital dean Sandip Ghosh and three others over alleged financial irregularities at the institution for allegedly raping and murdering a trainee The doctor came under intense scrutiny last month.
Three others were arrested, including Ghosh security guard Afsar Ali, 44, hospital supplier Biplav Singha, 52, and Suman, 46, officials said ·Suman Hazara, they used to supply supplies to hospitals. The arrest followed a lawsuit filed by the government and former deputy director of the hospital Akhtar Ali.
Also Read | Junior doctors continue protest, RG Kar's former principal Sandip Ghosh undergoes medical test update after arrest
While the rape-murder shocked the country, it also shone a spotlight on corrupt ties at Bangladesh's medical colleges. A junior doctor told News18 Ghosh was not alone in the allegations against the former principal. “There is a criminal syndicate active across Bangladesh, intimidating and extorting students. From getting exam papers, to being promoted to doctors, to getting things from home, everything used to go through this syndicate,” he claimed.
viral audio clips
Various audio clips have gone viral on the internet, hinting at the RG Kar Hospital connection. News18 has not independently verified the authenticity of the clip.
The following is a transcript of one of the articles:
Senior Physician: Can you hear me? When did you become a doctor?
Students: May
Senior: What should I do if I don’t get the certificate?
Teenager: Why?
Senior: Do you hang around the medical committee? You remember Dr. (mentioned a name)…I stopped his credentials. Do I stop your credentials too?
Teenager: What did I do?
Senior: Do you know my name? You'll know one day I'm going to come and kick you all out, and the next thing you know…you're doing MC DSA? Do it, but not in college. I'll stop the registration and then you'll have to go to court. I'll bring people here and you'll see. We will not bring outsiders, all MBBS students will be there. Don't do all this. If you want to know who I am, ask your principal and dean. If you wish to complain, please write my name correctly. I only call people once and if you don't listen, you will face the consequences. If you have the guts, complain.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RG KAR
In the case of RG Kar, there were allegations that doctors at the hospital had helped Ghosh. “He has his own clique who threatens junior doctors and blackmails them,” claimed Chandramouli, a former student whose registration had been stopped and had to be obtained from the courts.
Dr Anubhab Ghosh, a junior doctor at RG Kar, claimed: “It is an open secret that he used to collect money to pass exams from students and bribe vendors. He was very powerful.
Several students and ex-students News18 spoke to claimed that Ghosh and other corrupt doctors in the government used to deliberately fail many students, often saying they would pass if they paid money.
Also Read | Sandip Ghosh's aide names 'Didi' to threaten RG Kar junior doctor? Hot new audio clip
Another allegation is that question papers were leaked to most students in exchange for money.
Dr. Chandramouli alleged that Dr. Birupakho, Dr. Avik, Dr. Sudipto Roy (Sreerampur Trinamool MP and president of Rogi Kalyan Samithy of RG Kar) were involved.
Another student, Dr Saikat, alleged that the district and college were divided among various corrupt senior doctors. “This is how the mafia carves up turf. All these people use to gain power from very powerful people who are close to the government. The CBI should investigate this,” he said.
The joint company also received funds from all tenders, students said.
