The gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has led to significant concerns about the safety of female doctors and medical professionals. Amid the row, ABP News's 'Operation RG Kar' has put forth damning allegations against the institute's former principal Sandip Ghosh as it raises questions over whether attempts were made to derail the investigation into the heinous crime.
A sting operation revealed that Ghosh allegedly "became active" after the incident and dialed his right-hand man Debashish several times after the crime. It is claimed that several of his people came to the crime scene including politicians, police, external medical staff, and a lawyer.
A doctor who was a part of the team that conducted the post-mortem of the victim said several people reached the crime scene, including politicians, police, external medical staff, and a lawyer. "A lot of people had come... Those who should not have been at the crime scene. All were principal's people," they said.
"There is a man named Debashish Som, the principal talks to him. He is an adviser to Dr Sandip Ghosh, and he arranged for everyone (to be at the crime scene). A lawyer also came there who should not have come. What is the need for a lawyer at that time?" the doctor added.
The doctor said, "Whatever Sandip Ghosh says, Debashish does. He holds Ghosh in high regard and is a person with a criminal mindset."
When questioned about whether there was any pressure during the post-mortem, the doctor denied it but hinted at a different possibility. They stated, "I was not given any such pressure, but it might be possible that since I was there, they could not do anything like that."
The doctor said Sandip Ghosh used his influence to put a lot of mental pressure on students and professors.
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ABP News' sting operation has also revealed alleged fraud at RG Kar Medical College regarding dead bodies. A forensic expert who has previously worked at the establishment alleged political backing for Dr Sandip Ghosh.
The expert alleged that corruption was rampant at the medical college and stressed the need for someone to raise their voice against it, despite potential repercussions. "It should be acknowledged that corruption is occurring. Someone must speak out against it, though there might be some consequences," they added.
"Bodies used to come for postmortem, the hospital used to take them and do a workshop. They did an ENT workshop, there was an uproar over the same. Even after all this, the government did not do anything to him. No permission was taken for this," the expert said. claimed.
When asked by an ABP News reporter about his transfer while he was part of the core committee, the expert said, "I was stationed in the forensic medicine department head's room. I was the first person to file a complaint against it."
The expert, however, said the allegations of organ selling were unfounded. "He did not sell organs. The bodies that came for post-mortem were used for workshops. There was an instance where a workshop was conducted on ENT, which caused quite a stir in the medical college. Yet, despite all this, no action was taken by the government."
The expert said while workshops can be conducted, they should not involve bodies brought in for autopsy. "Workshops cannot be conducted with bodies used for medico-legal cases. They can only be conducted with donated bodies for anatomical study. Conducting workshops on post-mortem bodies can obscure evidence such as injuries."
The expert added that no permissions were sought from the police for using the bodies. "They considered themselves the boss and acted liked a mafia," the expert said. He also alleged that political figures from the TMC were shielding Ghosh, stating, "It is clear that political individuals from the ruling party are supporting him."