Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court highlighted the potential widespread implications of the financial irregularities scandal at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on government operations and healthcare. The case involves serious allegations against several accused, with ongoing judicial proceedings.Key Takeaways
- Significant implications for government operations.
- Adverse effects on the healthcare system.
- Serious allegations of financial misconduct.
- Five main accused are currently in judicial custody.
- The CBI is directed to expedite document transfer.
Kolkata, Feb 11 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court remarked on Tuesday that the character of the scam in the financial misconduct case involving the government-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital could significantly influence the internal administrative framework of governmental operations.
A division bench consisting of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth noted that beyond just administrative matters, the healthcare sector in the state may suffer detrimental impacts due to the nature of the wrongdoing.
The primary allegations in the R.G. Kar financial misconduct case include manipulations within the tendering process of the medical institution, conducting infrastructure projects through outsourced contractors while bypassing the state Public Works Department, illegal disposal of biomedical waste from the hospital, and the illicit sale of organs from unidentified corpses arriving at the hospital morgue for autopsy at inflated prices.
The five principal accused in this case, as detailed in the chargesheet submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), are the former and controversial principal of R.G. Kar, Sandip Ghosh, his assistant-bodyguard Afsar Alir, private contractors Biplab Sinha and Suman Hazra, and junior doctor Ashish Pandey. All are currently in judicial custody.
The chargesheet identifies Ghosh as the mastermind behind the entire operation.
The division bench has instructed the CBI to finalize the transfer of all documents related to the case to the defense attorneys by Wednesday.
Additionally, it has directed the defense attorneys to inform the special court in the city once they receive all relevant documents, as the charge-framing and trial processes are set to commence.
The next hearing before the division bench is scheduled for February 18, where it is anticipated that a timeline for the completion of the charge-framing process at the special court will emerge.
