RG Kar shocker: Sandip Ghosh gets bail as only 7 of 147 witnesses examined, junior doctor blasts CBI
New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the state-run medical facility, media reports said.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale set aside the Calcutta High Court's February 23 order rejecting Ghosh's bail plea.
The Supreme Court noted that Ghosh, who was chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had spent over two years in custody, while only seven of the 147 witnesses had been examined so far.
"In such a view of the matter, considering the period of incarceration and also the stage of the trial, we are inclined to set aside the impugned order passed by the High Court and allow this appeal," the court said, as quoted by Live Law.
Financial irregularities allegations emerged after rape-murder
The allegations of financial irregularities surfaced after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital came to light in August 2024, triggering massive protests across West Bengal.
The then Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, faced months of widespread agitation over the police's handling of the case.
Ghosh was arrested later in connection with the alleged financial irregularities.
His continued tenure and transfer to another post drew criticism, with protesters demanding his suspension and questioning the government's handling of the allegations.
In December 2024, Ghosh was granted bail in connection with the rape and murder case involving the on-duty doctor.
Junior doctor questions CBI probe
Junior doctor Aniket Mahato, who was at the forefront of the RG Kar protests, criticised the CBI investigation and questioned the BJP government in West Bengal over its promise to deliver justice.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's order in a video message, Mahato said, "It's heartbreaking news for all of us who had protested on the streets. CBI grilled only seven of 147 witnesses to prolong the probe to an extent to make judges feel there is no fruitfulness in this case."
"The double engine government (BJP government) that had promised to wipe out corruption in the health sector and deliver justice for RG Kar did not take a single concrete step except suspending three IPS officers," he added.
Victim's mother had expressed concern over investigation
Earlier in June this year, Ratna Debnath, the victim's mother and now a BJP MLA, had expressed disillusionment over the progress of the CBI investigation into her daughter's rape and murder.
Referring to an observation by the Calcutta High Court, Debnath had questioned the agency's progress.
"Our former Chief Minister stood against the rule of law. Today, the rule of law has been established in West Bengal, so what is preventing the CBI from conducting a fair and impartial investigation?" she had said.
"It has been two years since the incident, yet justice remains elusive. If we are given the opportunity, we are capable of ensuring justice. But the question is: what has the CBI been doing all this while?" she added.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, meanwhile, reiterated his commitment to delivering justice in the RG Kar case.
"I haven't forgotten to deliver justice. I am committed," Adhikari had said.
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