NEW DELHI, Aug 28: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday suspended from its membership the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata Dr Sandip Ghosh who is under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing into the horrific rape and murder of a trainee postgraduate doctors in the state-run hospital while on night duty on August 9.
Dr Ghosh, who underwent a lie-detector test on Monday, has been accused of negligence in the matter, including failing to file a police complaint when the woman’s body was found. He does not face charges in connection with the killing of the doctor but, does face non-bailable corruption charges of financial irregularities during his tenure as the principal.
There have been accusations against Dr Ghosh of trafficking dead bodies and biomedical wastes and a former employee of the hospital has claimed that his such activities were linked with the rape and murder of the medic. The CBI after carrying out an exhaustive 11-hour search of his Kolkata home and claiming to have seized a “wealth of evidence,” has questioned Dr Ghosh for nearly 90 hours so far in connection with the rape and murder of the medic.
The decision to suspend the IMA membership of Ghosh, who is the vice president of the association’s Kolkata branch, was taken by its disciplinary committee. In an order, the Indian Medical Association said the committee constituted by IMA national president Dr R V Asokan on Wednesday suo-motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The IMA general secretary along with Asokan also met the victim’s parents at their home, the order read. “They had put up their grievances against you (Ghosh) in dealing with the situation as well as lack of empathy and sensitivity in handling the issue in appropriate manner befitting the responsibility held by you in your dealings with them,” the order said.
“The IMA Bengal state branch as well as certain associations’ of doctors also have demanded action citing the nature of disrepute brought by you to the profession on the whole,” it said. The order said the disciplinary committee of the IMA has “unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of the Indian Medical Association.”
Dr Ghosh has been at the centre of the storm since the doctor’s body was discovered. He resigned days later claiming moral responsibility but, within hours, the Bengal government had appointed him to lead the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.
The move prompted fierce protests from CNMC staff as well as those protesting the doctor’s murder, and the Calcutta High Court was forced to intervene, demanding he go on “long leave.” The court also questioned the appointment, which led to claims by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s critics and groups of protesters that the state government was shielding Dr Ghosh.
Dr Ghosh has also come under fire from the Supreme Court. Last week the top court questioned his role in the sordid affair, underlining, again, that the delay in filing a police case was unacceptable. “Why was FIR lodged almost 14 hours after discovery of the body… the Principal of the college should have come straightaway and directed filing of the FIR. Who was he in touch with?” the court asked.
(Manas Dasgupta)
