CBI uncovers Sandeep Ghosh’s bodyguard Afsar Ali’s alleged role in RG Kar Hospital’s tender scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the involvement of Afsar Ali, a bodyguard of former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandeep Ghosh, in an alleged tender fraud at the hospital. Afsar, who was not a government employee, is accused of securing multiple hospital contracts through a company operating under a false name. These contracts allegedly covered various development works at the hospital, including services for the café and bike parking areas.

According to the CBI, Afsar’s company received these tenders after submitting falsified documents and forged approvals. The investigation claims that these actions were part of a broader financial misconduct scheme, with kickbacks or ‘cut money’ allegedly paid to influential individuals, including Sandeep Ghosh. The tenders, awarded without proper procedures, reportedly facilitated the misappropriation of hospital funds.

Sources from the CBI have stated that Afsar exerted significant influence at RG Kar Hospital, despite his lack of an official position. “Afsar Ali was not a permanent government employee, but a contractual security guard at RG Kar Hospital,” a CBI official confirmed. Despite his position as a security guard, Afsar is alleged to have been involved in overseeing key hospital projects and influencing the award of tenders.

The investigation has also raised concerns over the management of parking fees at the hospital. Witness testimonies suggest that Afsar had control over the collection of parking fees, with funds allegedly shared between Afsar and Ghosh. The CBI is currently examining financial records to track the flow of these funds and assess the scope of the alleged financial misconduct.

Afsar Ali’s defense team has denied the charges, claiming that the fraud allegations are unsupported by solid evidence. A petition for bail was filed, arguing that no irregular transactions have been found in Afsar’s bank accounts. Additionally, the defense questioned the basis of the accusations, noting that Afsar was not interrogated in jail and that no direct evidence links him to any financial wrongdoing.

Further details in the case reveal that Afsar was appointed after the resignation of three permanent employees from RG Kar Hospital. He, along with other individuals, was appointed locally on a contractual basis. Health department records confirm that Afsar was hired as a contractual employee and never held a permanent government position.

The CBI investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to probe the full extent of the alleged corruption and financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. Investigators are working to determine whether other individuals or entities played a role in the fraudulent tender process.