New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail to Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with allegations involving financial misconduct and the manipulation of merit scores to favor unqualified candidates.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale sustained the appeal filed by Ghosh against a February 23 order from the Calcutta High Court that had previously denied his release. In reaching its decision, the apex court factored in the length of time Ghosh has spent behind bars alongside the gradual pace of judicial proceedings.
Reports indicate the bench pointed out that Ghosh has remained in custody for a duration exceeding two years, while out of a total of 147 listed witnesses, only seven have given testimony thus far. The court observed that given the extended period of incarceration and the early stage of the trial, it was appropriate to overturn the high court's previous ruling and approve the appeal.
Under the court's directives, the specific conditions and terms governing the bail will be determined by the trial court. The Central Bureau of Investigation previously investigated the matter, filing a charge sheet against Ghosh in August 2024 that outlined accusations of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and related violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case stems from accusations of financial mismanagement at the institution and claims that merit lists were altered to accommodate undeserving applicants. Following unsuccessful bail attempts at the trial court level in January 2025 and the high court in February 2026, Ghosh escalated his petition to the Supreme Court, which ultimately secured his release.