CBI quizzes 2nd TMC MLA in RG Kar graft case

Kolkata: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team on Friday visited the residence of Kolkata Deputy Mayor and Kashipur-Belgachia Trinamool Congress MLA Atin Ghosh in connection with alleged corruption linked to the RG Kar Hospital case. The matter is also being probed separately by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Last week, a similar raid was conducted at the residence of another TMC MLA, Sudipta Ray.

A two-member CBI team questioned Ghosh at his residence for over two hours. It is learnt that his statement is being recorded by the agency. Ghosh was a member of the Patient Welfare Committee of RG Kar Hospital at the time when a post-graduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on August 9, 2024, inside the hospital premises. Allegations of corruption at the hospital surfaced soon after the incident.

"I don't know why they are visiting Atin's house. As a central agency, they have the right to do so - to probe and interrogate. There is no way it can be throttled. However, from the Speaker's chair I cannot speak more than this. But Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have spoken about this," said Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay.


The CBI has registered a case against the former principal of RG Kar Hospital and several others following a complaint filed by former Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali. Five persons - including Sandip Ghosh, his assistant-cum-bodyguard Afsar Alir, private contractors Biplab Sinha and Suman Hazra, and junior doctor Ashish Pandey - have been named in the CBI chargesheet. All five are currently in judicial custody.

In parallel, the ED is also investigating alleged financial irregularities and suspected money laundering linked to the same case. The allegations include manipulation in the tendering process, private contractors bypassing state Public Works Department (PWD) protocols in exchange for hefty commissions, and smuggling of biomedical waste from the hospital.

The CBI began its probe following directions from the Calcutta High Court, while the ED registered a suo motu case to examine the financial trail linked to the alleged irregularities.