In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Hospital, challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation into alleged financial misconduct at the hospital to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The hospital was recently in the headlines after the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month, sparking nationwide outrage.
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, made it clear that an accused does not possess the standing to contest the transfer of investigation. “You were the principal of the college when the incident occurred. The High Court has not commented on corruption or the crime. But as an accused, you have no locus to intervene in the PIL,” the CJI asserted.
Dr. Ghosh, represented by senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, expressed willingness for the investigation but objected to the High Court’s suggestion that linked the financial irregularities to the rape incident. Arora argued, “Please investigate me, but to link me with the ‘nexus’ of the rape is incorrect. Nexus is what the High Court says.” However, Chief Justice Chandrachud countered, indicating that the linkage was precisely what required investigation.
The discussion also touched on the motivations behind the petition filed by Akhtar Ali, a former staffer at the hospital, which led to the High Court’s decision. Ali had accused Dr. Ghosh of several severe charges including financial mismanagement, the sale of unclaimed bodies, biomedical waste, and corrupt practices involving student evaluations. Arora suggested that Ali’s previous PILs on similar issues were dismissed by the High Court, hinting at a possibly motivated agenda.
Despite these claims, the Supreme Court opted not to interfere with the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the importance of allowing the inquiry to proceed without hindrance. “Let us not stultify the investigation. We are also asking the CBI to file status reports before us,” stated the court, signaling a clear directive for transparency and accountability moving forward.
