Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, encountered a hostile crowd outside a Kolkata court yesterday. Verbal abuse was directed at him, and an individual attempted to slap him before security personnel swiftly intervened, ensuring his safe departure.

Dr. Ghosh is under significant public and legal scrutiny following the hospital’s handling of a shocking incident involving the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor during her night shift on August 9. The crime, which took place in a seminar hall on the hospital premises, has caused widespread outrage across India. In addition to this case, Dr. Ghosh was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch on charges of corruption and financial misconduct related to his tenure at the state-run hospital. He was presented in court and has been remanded in custody for eight days, with the next hearing scheduled for September 10.

Following the horrific crime, Dr. Ghosh resigned as principal of RG Kar Medical College, citing his inability to "bear the humiliation on social media." However, hours after his resignation, he was controversially appointed as the principal of another medical college in Kolkata by the West Bengal government, a move that has drawn sharp criticism. The state government subsequently suspended him due to allegations of financial misconduct, and the investigation into his conduct was transferred to the CBI following an order from the Calcutta High Court.

A former colleague of Dr. Ghosh at RG Kar Medical College has accused him of multiple acts of corruption, even suggesting that these alleged corrupt activities may be linked to the doctor’s death. The case has prompted both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court to issue strong criticisms of Dr. Ghosh's handling of the situation.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud raised concerns about why the First Information Report (FIR) was filed almost 14 hours after the discovery of the victim's body, questioning why Dr. Ghosh did not immediately order the filing of the FIR. The Calcutta High Court also expressed surprise that the hospital authorities failed to lodge a formal complaint themselves, instead leaving it to the Kolkata Police to file an unnatural death case. The court remarked, "When the deceased victim was a doctor working in the hospital, it is rather surprising as to why the Principal or hospital did not lodge a formal complaint. This, in our view, was a serious lapse, giving room for suspicion."

The investigation is ongoing, with both the legal and medical communities watching closely as further details emerge.

Image Credit / Source : Pakistan Today