The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its investigation into financial irregularities at the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, focusing on the disposal practices of biomedical waste at the institution.
The probe has led the agency to request detailed information from the West Bengal health department regarding the disposal procedures for biomedical waste across various medical facilities in the state.
Insights
This development comes against the backdrop of allegations that a significant portion of the purported financial misconduct at RG Kar involves the illegal trade of biomedical waste.
The CBI’s inquiries include questions about when central guidelines for biomedical waste disposal were first enacted in West Bengal.
Additionally, the agency seeks to determine whether the state health department has been effectively monitoring adherence to these regulations across medical colleges and hospitals.
According to sources, the CBI has identified severe discrepancies in the disposal practices at RG Kar Regulations mandate a strict procedure for the disposal of biomedical waste to prevent potential reuse.
Reports indicate that RG Kar allegedly sold biological waste products, including saline bottles, syringes, and needles, instead of properly disposing of them.
Further scrutiny shows that RG Kar’s reported biomedical waste disposal figures are significantly lower than those of other state-run medical facilities of similar size.
This discrepancy has raised red flags regarding the integrity of waste management practices at the institution.
In a related development, the CBI has traced connections between Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar, and two individuals from Bangladesh.
These individuals, who have been frequently visiting Kolkata, are reportedly involved in the procurement and sale of medical equipment to hospitals in Bangladesh.
The CBI is conducting two parallel investigations: one into the financial irregularities at RG Kar and another into the rape-murder of a junior doctor that occurred on the hospital premises last month.
The involvement of the Bangladeshi nationals in this complex web of allegations adds another layer to the ongoing investigations.
Also Read: CBI Uncovers Significant Lapses In RG Kar Rape-Murder Inquest Report
