Bengal health dept suspends RG Kar ex-principal Sandip Ghosh

The Health Department of the West Bengal government on Tuesday suspended Sandip Ghosh, the controversial former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, where a junior doctor was found raped and murdered on August 9 when Ghosh was in charge of the institute.

The Health Department announced Ghosh's suspension though an official order issued late on Tuesday evening. However, instead of Health Secretary NS Nigam, the order was signed by an officer on special duty in the Health Department.

“In view of the ongoing criminal investigation against Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal, RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, Ghosh is placed under suspension under Rule 7(1c) of West Bengal Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1971, with immediate effect,” the order read.

However, representatives of the medical fraternity have questioned the late action by the state government which is already under fire for reportedly shielding Ghosh in the aftermath of the rape-murder case.

On Monday evening, Ghosh was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after 16 days of questioning.

Ghosh was being questioned in connection with two parallel probes being conducted by the CBI -- the rape and murder of the junior doctor, and allegations of financial irregularities at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during his tenure.

The CBI arrested Ghosh in connection with its probe into the allegations of financial irregularities at the state-run medical college.