CBI arrests former principal of RG Kar Hospital

India’s elite anti-graft probe agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital over 'financial misconduct' in the medical facility.

A 31-year-old doctor was raped and murdered at the hospital on 9 August, triggering a pan-India outrage and sustained strike by physicians across the country. The CBI is also probing the incident.

The arrest of the hospital’s ex-principal Sandip Ghsoh came days after the CBI named him in the first information report (FIR) in connection with its probe into alleged financial irregularities at the hospital during his tenure.

On 25 August, the agency carried out a day-long search operation at Sandip’s residence in Kolkata in connection with the corruption cases.

The Indian Medical Association, an apex body of senior doctors of India, has suspended the membership of Sandip.

Earlier in the day, junior doctors of different medical colleges in Kolkata marched to Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar, demanding the resignation of police commissioner Vineet Goyal alleging police inaction in stopping vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 14 August during a protest against the rape and murder of the doctor.

The agitating medics also alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe into the 9 August rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in the state-run hospital.