"Corruption In High Places Seriously Impacts Public Confidence": Calcutta High Court On Graft Charges Against Ex-RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh

While hearing a continuing matter around the corruption and mismanagement charges against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, the Calcutta High Court has observed that the trial court must expeditiously proceed with the trial since such charges against higher-ups in the hospital with alleged collusion with state officials had eroded public confidence, which needed to be restored with a swift trial.A division bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Gaurang Kanth stated:"According to CBI's report...on 10/2/2025, the matter was heard by the trial judge who observed that the counsel for Sandip Ghosh was making baseless accusations against the [CBI]. Furthermore, it is recorded that scanned copies of the documents shall be supplied to all accused by 12/2/25. Counsel for Ghosh contends that a number of documents have not been supplied...he denies that he has made false allegations against the CBI. The case pertains to allegations of corruption by the former principal in collusion with other office bearers and contractors in respect of various activities of the hospital.""The charges are very serious and we are informed that the respondents are in jail. Corruption in public administration erodes the confidence of the general people in the affairs of the state. In the present case, it has far-reaching consequences. Corruption in high places has a serious impact on public confidence in the affairs of the state. A prompt trial of persons accused of corruption would reinforce the faith of the people in the justice delivery system. Similarly, the accused have a right to fair and prompt trial. The requirement of a fair trial is a sine qua non in this case," the Court added.Thus the court directed for the documents to be submitted before the trial judge who may fix a date before the hearing of the matter.BackgroundSandip Ghosh had been probed by the CBI since the High Court had transferred the probe to it from the SIT constituted by the State government. These proceedings emanated from a complaint by former medical superintendent Akhtar Ali who had accused Ghosh of corruption and mismanagement.Notably, Sandip Ghosh was also questioned in the larger conspiracy case around the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar medical college.Last month sole-accused Sanjoy Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment over his involvement in the rape and murder case.Case: AKHTAR ALI VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.Case No: WPA/21396/2024

"Corruption In High Places Seriously Impacts Public Confidence": Calcutta High Court On Graft Charges Against Ex-RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh

Srinjoy Das

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