The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will present arrested Trinamool Congress leader Ashish Pandey in a special court on Friday afternoon. Pandey faces allegations of involvement in tender irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where he served as staff.
Sources indicate that Pandey, a close confidant of former and controversial Principal Sandip Ghosh, allegedly used his connections within the ruling party to secure contracts for supplying medical equipment and infrastructure development work exclusively for Ghosh’s favored contractors.
During questioning prior to his arrest on Thursday evening, Pandey reportedly attempted to mislead CBI officials, prompting the agency to take him into custody.
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In addition to his alleged financial misconduct, Pandey faces multiple complaints regarding his role in perpetuating a “threat culture” at RG Kar. The CBI plans to present him in a special court in Kolkata, where officials will seek his custody for further interrogation.
Former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen, who is also a medical practitioner, emphasized the need to identify individuals like Pandey who tarnish the party’s reputation through unethical activities. “It is high time we take disciplinary actions against such members. Sen added that authorities should also identify and deal firmly with those who patronize and support such behavior.
Pandey marks the fifth arrest made by the CBI in connection with the financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. In September, Ghosh and three others were also arrested in relation to this case. The other individuals arrested include Afsar Ali, Suman Hazra, and Biplab Sinha, with Ali serving as Ghosh’s personal bodyguard and Hazra and Sinha acting as vendors responsible for medical equipment supplies during Ghosh’s tenure as Principal.
