The West Bengal government on Monday evening announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations of financial irregularities at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital since 2021, when it was under the supervision of 'controversial' principal Sandip Ghosh, who stepped down days after the rape and murder of a junior doctor on the hospital premises earlier this month.
The SIT, according to sources in the state government, will be headed by Pranab Kumar, Inspector General (Training), who will be assisted by Syed Waquar Raza, Deputy Inspector General of Murshidabad Range, Soma Mitra Das, DIG of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commission (Central Division) of Kolkata Police.
The state's Home Department issued a notification stating that the SIT has been formed "to conduct inquiry/investigation into the allegations of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Hospital during the period between January 2021 and till date.
Political circles in the state are surprised by this sudden development since despite several complaints of financial irregularities against Ghosh, the state government never initiated any investigation against him.
The SIT has been formed at a time when Ghosh is being interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the R.G. Kar case for the past four days.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya claimed that the SIT has been formed because Ghosh might have revealed many secrets to the CBI during his grilling for the past few days.
Earlier on Monday, the Calcutta High Court postponed the hearing on a plea filed by Ghosh seeking police protection.
The hearing was postponed to Wednesday because the submission and exchange of affidavits among all the concerned parties in the case is yet to be completed.
Ghosh is currently on leave after the Calcutta High Court last week gave a clear instruction to the state Health Department not to appoint Ghosh, who stepped down as the principal of R.G. Kar last Monday, as the head of any medical college in the state until further orders.
Notably, hours after resigning as the principal of R.G. Kar citing “moral responsibility”, Ghosh was appointed as the principal of the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH), triggering protests by the medical students and junior doctors of CNMCH.
Manipur: Security forces nab eight militants with arms, ammunition
In a series of successful joint operations, Assam Rifles, in coordination with Manipur Police, apprehended eight hardcore militants from different locations of three districts in the violence-hit state, officials said on Wednesday.
Tripura’s unemployment ratio less than national average, says CM Saha
Of the 2,806 candidates, 2437 multi-tasking staff (Group-D) would be posted in 37 departments while 369 pharmacists and laboratory technicians would be posted in the health and other departments, Saha said and termed the day in providing government jobs as historic.
PM Modi presenting NE region as ‘Astalakshmi’: HM Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, considering the huge development and enormous resources of the eight northeastern states, is presenting the region before the country as ‘Astalakshmi’.
BJP set to storm back to power in Delhi after 27 years: Exit polls
A poll of seven exit polls predicted 42-49 seats for the BJP in the Assembly election to end its 27-year jinx, signalling an end of Arvind Kejriwal’s winning streak in Delhi after three back-to-back victories. The final results will be declared on February 8.
India's gold investments surge 60 pc to Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024: Report
Gold investments in India saw a significant surge in 2024 with a rise of 60 per cent in value terms to reach $18 billion (approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore) compared to 2023, according to a report on Wednesday.
Fate of 699 candidates sealed as voting for Delhi polls ends
A total of 1.5 crore eligible Delhi voters sealed the fate of 699 candidates in the Assembly election on Wednesday to pick a new 70-member House with the turnout hovering around 60 per cent till reports last came in at 6 p.m., an official said.
PM Modi condoles demise of eminent philanthropist and spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan
Calling him a visionary who dedicated his entire life to service and spirituality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the demise of noted billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
57.70 per cent voter turnout recorded in Delhi Assembly polls
Voting to pick a new 70-member Delhi Assembly continued peacefully on Wednesday as the turnout touched 57.70 per cent till 5 p.m. with the ruling AAP eyeing a fourth straight win and the BJP putting up a tough fight to return to power after 1998.