West Bengal Government Grants ED Permission to Prosecute Sandip Ghosh in R.G. Kar Financial Irregularities Case

Kolkata, May 2026 : The West Bengal government on Monday formally granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, in connection with the alleged financial irregularities case linked to the institution.

Sandip Ghosh has been under scrutiny not only in the financial irregularities investigation but also in the widely discussed rape and murder case involving a junior doctor at the same hospital in August 2024, which had triggered massive protests and public outrage across the country.

The announcement regarding the sanction for prosecution was made by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari through a post on his social media platform, where he also shared the official order authorising the ED to proceed against Ghosh.

However, officials clarified that the state government’s permission applies specifically to the financial irregularities case being investigated by the ED and does not extend to the rape and murder case.

At present, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting parallel investigations into both the alleged financial misconduct at R.G. Kar Medical College and the rape and murder of the junior doctor that occurred within the hospital premises last year.

In his statement, Adhikari described the decision as an important step towards ensuring accountability and justice.

“I feel fortunate to have taken a significant and positive step as Chief Minister by granting formal permission to the Enforcement Directorate,” he stated.

The Chief Minister also accused the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government of allegedly obstructing the investigation process.

“The previous Trinamool Congress government forcibly and immorally stalled the investigation process of this case for a long time. But we believe that no one is above the law. The truth cannot be suppressed,” Adhikari wrote.

He further said that those responsible in what he referred to as the “Sister Abhaya” case should be identified swiftly and awarded the strictest punishment.

“I want the real culprits in the Sister Abhaya case identified quickly, given the strictest punishment, and for the people of Bengal to witness justice. I pray for the eternal peace of Sister Abhaya’s soul,” the statement added.

The latest move comes days after the state government initiated action against senior police officers over their alleged handling of the initial investigation into the rape and murder case.

Last week, the Chief Minister ordered the immediate suspension of three Indian Police Service officers — former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and former Deputy Commissioners Indira Mukerjee and Abhishek Gupta — citing doubts over their roles during the early stages of the probe conducted by Kolkata Police before the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI.

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, has since entered active politics and was elected as a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district.

Team Maverick.