West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities in medical equipment procurement at RG Kar Medical College. This investigation is part of a wider administrative effort to address corruption during the previous government's tenure. It follows reports of missing equipment across 64 state-run health facilities and runs alongside ongoing CBI and ED probes into the hospital's past financial management.
The West Bengal government has formally ordered an investigation into the procurement of medical equipment at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on October 9, 2026, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to audit administrative and financial dealings from the previous government’s tenure. The probe aims to identify any procedural irregularities that may have occurred during the acquisition of medical machinery and other hospital infrastructure.
This new inquiry is separate from, though related to, the intense legal scrutiny that has surrounded the institution since August 2024. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been actively investigating long-standing financial irregularities at the college for nearly two years. These federal investigations have focused on the role of former principal Sandip Ghosh, whose prosecution was formally sanctioned by the state government in May 2026.
The state government’s focus on medical equipment has expanded beyond a single facility. In September 2026, the state health department ordered the filing of First Information Reports regarding reports of missing medical equipment and machinery from 64 state-run health facilities, including block primary health units and sub-centres. This initiative reflects a broader push to reconcile the inventory of state assets and ensure accountability in the public healthcare supply chain.
The administrative overhaul also touches upon the handling of the high-profile rape-murder case that took place at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. Three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, remain under suspension. Their actions during the initial investigation into the incident have been the subject of significant criticism, further complicating the oversight environment for the institution.
For vendors, suppliers, and stakeholders involved in public procurement in West Bengal, this development signals a period of heightened administrative and legal scrutiny. Investors and business observers often monitor such governance-heavy events to gauge the stability of public-private partnerships and the reliability of contractual arrangements in state infrastructure projects. The risk of project delays, increased compliance requirements, and potential legal challenges for contractors linked to historical procurement contracts remains a primary consideration as these investigations proceed.