Principal of RG Kar College 'sold' unclaimed bodies and trafficked biomedical waste: Claim

Resigning as Principal of RG Kar College following the rape and killing of a trainee physician, Dr. Sandip Ghosh allegedly engaged in a number of illicit operations, including the selling of unclaimed bodies, according to a former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Medical College. A civic volunteer named Sanjoy Roy, the accused murderer, was allegedly under the former Principal of RG Kar College's protection, according to Akhtar Ali in an interview with India Today.

Ali further stated that Ghosh was trafficking biomedical waste and medical supplies into 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," stated the ex-deputy superintendent.

Serving as a member of the inquiry committee against Ghosh, Akhtar Ali claimed to have alerted the state vigilance commission about the illicit activities. He was employed at RG Kar Hospital until 2023. He added that despite an inquiry finding the previous principal guilty, no action was taken against him.

Ali stated that he was moved from RG Kar Hospital the same day he filed an investigation report against Dr. Ghosh to the state health department. "The day I submitted the inquiry report, I was transferred on the same day. The other two members of this committee were also transferred." He claimed, "I did whatever I could to save the students from this man, but I failed."

Controversial Resignation and Swift Appointment

Within hours of resigning amid protests over the doctor's death, Sandip Ghosh was offered a new position at Calcutta Medical College. Ghosh was placed on indefinite vacation by the Calcutta High Court, who overruled the administration on the matter.

Since January 2021, the institution has been the subject of charges of financial wrongdoing, for which the Mamata Banerjee administration has also launched an investigation. In addition, Ali said that Ghosh asked for money in order to pass students. "Some students were deliberately made to fail. So that he could recover the money," he further said.

The former RG Kar executive described Ghosh's business model, claiming that he charged a 20% commission on every tender. He also stated that hospital-related tenders were exclusively offered to Ghosh's close aides, Suman Hazra and Biplab Singha.

"Sandip Ghosh used to collect money first, then issue a work order. Suman Hazra and Biplab Singha owned 12 firms. Only they were given tenders for all work," Ali stated. Ali further claimed that Sandip Ghosh had the support of several "powerful people," citing how he was reinstated as hospital director despite being transferred twice. "Such a person should be put into custody immediately. "He is harmful to society," the former RG Kar official stated.

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