Kolkata, Sept 6: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids and search operations at four locations on Friday, including the residence of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities at the state-run hospital in Kolkata.
An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) has already been filed by the ED in connection with the case. Ghosh is currently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting a parallel probe as directed by a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court.
In addition to Ghosh's residence, the ED is also targeting the homes of Biplab Sinha, Koushik Koley, and Prasun Chattopadhyay. These individuals, identified as private vendors supplying medical and other equipment to R.G. Kar, are suspected beneficiaries in the financial irregularities case.
At the time of filing this report, the ED team had not yet entered Ghosh’s residence but was stationed outside. However, operations at the residences of Sinha, Koley, and Chattopadhyay had commenced. Each raiding team is being escorted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. Sinha is also in CBI custody in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The CBI had previously arrested Ghosh, Sinha, and two others, Afsar Ali (Ghosh’s bodyguard) and Suman Hazra (a private vendor), on September 2. The ED is examining the money laundering aspect of the case, initiating a suo motu investigation, while the CBI’s probe was court-directed.
The ED has more flexibility compared to the CBI in initiating investigations. Unlike the CBI, which requires either state government clearance or a court order to begin an investigation, the ED can commence proceedings without such restrictions.
