Why Was SIT Probe Into Ex-RG Kar Principal Initiated Only After Death Of Resident Doctor Despite Earlier Complaints? Calcutta HC Asks State

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday questioned the state government on why a special investigating team (SIT) probe into former RG Kar College & Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh was only initiated after the rape-murder incident of a resident doctor working at the hospital.

A single bench of Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj was dealing with a plea by former RG Kar Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali, accusing Ghosh of mismanagement of dead bodies, misutilisation of funds, and selling biomedical waste on the open market, etc.

In dealing with the plea, the Court arrived at the primary question of why the SIT was constituted into Ghosh on 16th August, after the incident of rape-murder surfaced on the 9th of August, when there were various complaints against Ghosh which had been filed before State authorities.

Ali contended that Ghosh was a very powerful man with connections in the State administration and would use his connections to avoid any consequences for his actions.

It was submitted that anyone who raised their voice against Ghosh was sidelined, and thus he would always get away scot-free.

Counsel for the state submitted that since Ali had claimed police inaction in the present petition, his complaint before the police was only lodged on 20th August, and affirmed on 21st August.

State counsel questioned whether it was fair for Ali to approach court merely one day after his complaint was registered by the police, without giving them any time to act on it.

In hearing the arguments, the court posted the matter for further hearing tomorrow upon allowing time to Ali's counsel to file a reply.

Case: Akhtar Ali v State of WB

Case No: WPA 21396 of 2024