On 13 December, Dr Sandip Ghosh, the disgraced former Principal of the RG Kar Medical College was granted bail in connection with the rape and murder of a female resident doctor in August this year. The decision came as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period. Police officer Abhijit Mondal, also implicated in the case, was granted bail alongside Dr Sandip Ghosh.
However, while Abhijit Mondal will be released, Dr Sandip Ghosh remains in custody due to another case concerning financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. Sandip Ghosh was arrested by the CBI on September 2 following a Calcutta High Court directive for the agency to investigate financial mismanagement and evidence tampering in the rape case. The directive stemmed from a plea by Akhtar Ali, a former Deputy Superintendent at RG Kar Hospital, accusing Sandip Ghosh, the former Principal of severe misconduct during his tenure.
The controversy surrounding Ghosh intensified after the rape-murder incident, which triggered nationwide protests. Allegations of victim-blaming led to his resignation, but the State’s subsequent decision to appoint him as Principal of another college drew sharp criticism. The Calcutta High Court condemned this move as an undeserved “reward.”
The Gruesome rape and murder case at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical Hospital and College
On 9th of August, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded that shook the entire nation. A 31 year old female doctor was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. During subsequent protests, Mamata Banerjee government was accused of caught acting taking stern action and ‘rewarding’ disgraced RG Kar Principal. Allegations also included evidence tampering and this sparked widespread protest across India with people demanding justice and safety with slogans like – Justice for Abhaya.
The protests were also held against the State Government for the negligence they did on their part on investigation. Public outrage led to the case being transferred to the CBI. The accused, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was earlier arrested but the public demand continues to properly investigate the whole matter as there are speculations that more than 1 person was involved in the rape and murder of the female doctor.