The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mandal, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tala Police Station, for their alleged involvement in delaying the filing of the First Information Report (FIR) and tampering with evidence in the Kolkata rape and murder case.
The case has shocked the medical community, and Ghosh’s arrest adds another layer of controversy due to his previous allegations of financial misconduct at the hospital.
The case revolves around the tragic death of a 31-year-old trainee doctor whose body was discovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The autopsy report revealed that she had been brutally raped before being murdered, sparking outrage among medical professionals and the general public.
In response to the gruesome crime, the CBI took charge of the investigation following orders from the Calcutta High Court, which has asked the agency to submit a progress report by September 17.
In their investigation, the CBI found that both Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mandal had a role in hindering the early stages of the investigation. They are accused of destroying crucial evidence and misleading the probe, raising suspicions about a deeper cover-up within the system.
The involvement of high-ranking officials like Ghosh and Mandal has raised questions about corruption and malpractice in the handling of serious crimes, especially those involving public trust and safety.
The arrest of Ghosh is particularly notable as it marks his second arrest by the central probe agency. Earlier, he was apprehended in a separate case involving financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. Ghosh was also subjected to a polygraph test as part of the CBI’s investigation. His connection to two high-profile cases has intensified public scrutiny on the institution he once led and further tarnished the reputation of the hospital.
The arrest of Abhijit Mandal, the SHO of Tala Police Station, indicates that the police department may have also played a role in stalling justice for the victim.
The delay in filing the FIR and the alleged destruction of evidence are serious violations of protocol, leading many to question the integrity of law enforcement in this case.
Meanwhile, a civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police shortly after the discovery of the trainee doctor’s body. Roy is accused of being involved in the horrific crime, but his arrest alone has not quelled the growing protests and demands for justice from the medical community.
Thousands of doctors and nursing staff have been actively protesting, calling for swift action to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and to hold the culprits accountable.
The protests have gained momentum, with demonstrators demanding not only justice for the victim but also better protection for medical staff across the state. They argue that the incident exposes a broader issue of safety in hospitals, where staff are often vulnerable to violence and crime.
Their demands have resonated with the wider public, drawing attention to the need for reforms in the healthcare system and stricter enforcement of security measures.
In response to the growing unrest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited the protest site at Swasthya Bhavan, the state’s health headquarters in Salt Lake. Her visit was unexpected but seen as a gesture aimed at diffusing the tension.
Banerjee urged the protesting doctors to return to work, emphasising the importance of resuming normal healthcare services for the sake of the patients. She also encouraged the medical community to engage in dialogue with the government to resolve the situation.
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