The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH), Sandip Kumar Ghosh, along with the officer-in-charge of Tala police station, Abhijit Mondal, on Saturday night (September 14, 2024), reports said.
The arrests were made on charges of evidence tampering and delaying the filing of an FIR related to the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RGKMCH in Kolkata.
Dr. Ghosh, who was previously taken into custody by the CBI on September 2 over allegations of financial misconduct at the institution, remains in judicial custody.
The arrests come in response to allegations from various sources, including the victim's family, accusing officials of delaying the FIR and tampering with critical evidence.
Earlier, a video surfaced showing a large crowd inside RGKMCH’s seminar hall shortly after the doctor's body was discovered on the morning of August 9. The Kolkata Police had later stated that the area surrounding the body had been cordoned off with curtains and only a select group of individuals were allowed to enter the restricted area.
Concurrently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Swasthya Bhawan to address the protesting doctors. She assured them that their demands would be considered and that action would be taken against those responsible. Banerjee expressed her empathy, saying, "I have been a student leader myself and have struggled a lot in life, so I understand your situation. I am not concerned about my position. It rained all night while you were protesting, and I was worried... I will review your demands. I don't run the government alone; I will consult senior officials and find a solution. Whoever is guilty will be punished. I ask for some time. The state government will not take any action against you."