Kolkata, 4 September (H.S.):

After suspending former principal of RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh on Tuesday, the West Bengal Health Department appears to be taking a tough stand against his close associates. There are complaints against them from the medical sector of the state, especially from junior doctors.

The state health department on Wednesday transferred Dr Virupaksha Biswas, senior resident doctor of Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital, from the pathology department of Bardhaman Medical College in East Bardhaman district to Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Hospital in South 24 Parganas district. A health department source said that transfer from a medical college to the same post in a sub-divisional hospital is usually considered a kind of punishment.

Days after the heinous rape and murder incident of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College, an audio clip went viral in doctors' social media groups. In it, Biswas was heard threatening a medical intern that his registration would be cancelled if the junior did not follow his instructions.

However, Hindusthan Samachar could not confirm the authenticity of the viral audio clip. But after it went viral, several junior doctors complained of doctors close to Ghosh, including Biswas, starting a culture of intimidation in various medical colleges in the state.

Now, a section of the state's medical sector believes that by transferring Biswas, the state health department has tried to send a message to Ghosh's close aides against whom there are similar complaints.

On Tuesday evening, a day after Sandeep Ghosh was detained by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials in connection with the probe into financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College, the state government issued a notification suspending him from the state medical services as criminal proceedings are pending against him.

Ghosh is being investigated by the CBI for financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and rape and murder cases. Both these investigations are being conducted under the direction and monitoring of the court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey