The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on Monday in connection with financial irregularities at the institution. Ghosh's arrest comes weeks after the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the hospital, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage.

Alongside Ghosh, the CBI also arrested three other individuals—Biplav Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan—for their alleged involvement in the financial misconduct. The central agency had been questioning Ghosh for over two weeks, subjecting him to intense grilling and a polygraph test.

The CBI has charged Ghosh and the others with criminal conspiracy, cheating, dishonesty, and violations under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The offenses are serious and non-bailable. The case was initially being investigated by the Kolkata Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) but was handed over to the CBI following a directive from the Calcutta High Court.

Ghosh had served as the principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. After being transferred in October 2023, he unexpectedly returned to his position just a month later. His tenure continued until the horrific rape and murder of the trainee doctor, whose semi-nude body was discovered on August 9 in the hospital’s seminar hall. The brutal incident triggered widespread protests across West Bengal.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested in connection with the crime. Sandip Ghosh has also been summoned by the Kolkata Police for allegedly disclosing the identity of the victim, a serious breach of confidentiality in such sensitive cases. Additionally, the Indian Medical Association suspended Ghosh’s membership following a review by its disciplinary committee.