INDIA's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, over allegations of financial misconduct.
His arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a young female doctor at the college. Ghosh resigned from his position shortly after the incident gained public attention.
Alongside Ghosh, three others—two vendors of hospital supplies, Biplav Singha and Suman Hazra, and a close associate, Afsar Ali Khan—were also taken into custody.
A court in Kolkata has placed all four in CBI custody for eight days while investigations continue. The court rejected a bail plea for Khan, while the others did not apply for bail.
The case has drawn widespread attention, not just for the brutal crime committed against the doctor, but also for the corruption allegations surrounding the hospital.
It has been reported that Afsar Ali Khan, who served as a bodyguard for Ghosh, was involved in corrupt activities, such as selling biomedical waste from the hospital. A former deputy superintendent of the college, Akhtar Ali, had previously accused the group of widespread corruption.
The CBI has charged the accused with several offences, including criminal conspiracy and cheating, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These charges are serious and non-bailable.
The CBI took over the investigation from the Kolkata Police after an order from the Calcutta High Court, directing a thorough probe into the financial misconduct at the institution.
Dr Ghosh, who served as the principal from February 2021, faced criticism after the tragic death of the trainee doctor. Following the incident, the Indian Medical Association suspended his membership, citing serious concerns over the case.
The situation has raised alarm about the safety of women in workplaces across India, echoing concerns that continue to surface despite stricter laws introduced after past incidents of sexual violence.
(with inputs from Reuters)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)