Sudipto Roy, an alumnus of R.G. Kar Hospital and Medical College and a former close associate of the late Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ajit Panja, is now under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged financial irregularities at the hospital.

On Thursday, the ED summoned Roy, the TMC MLA from Serampore, for questioning in a money laundering case linked to these allegations, following a raid on his residence just two days prior. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar, along with three associates, in connection with a rape-murder case and allegations of evidence tampering. The ED’s investigation is based on the CBI’s FIR, filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Before arriving at the ED office in Kolkata, Roy told reporters, “The ED went to my house based on a complaint from former deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali. I have nothing to do with corruption. I came because the ED called me.” Earlier, the CBI had also conducted a raid at his home related to the ongoing rape and murder investigation.

According to officials from the West Bengal Department of Health, Roy has been a significant figure in the state’s health sector for the past seven to eight years. One senior health official noted, “His influence is evident from the positions he holds. He is the chairman of the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board, despite lacking the necessary qualifications, which led to a change in the board’s rules to accommodate him.”

Additionally, Roy serves as the president of the West Bengal Medical Council and oversees patient welfare committees at R.G. Kar and Calcutta Medical College. There are allegations that he is part of a powerful “North Bengal lobby” that dominates the state’s health system. A junior doctor commented, “In this lobby, Sudipto Roy and another influential figure, Sushanta Roy, are key players. Sudipto has managed the health system in South Bengal and maintains close ties with the Chief Minister’s Office.”

Recently, Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari accused Roy of transferring hospital equipment to a private nursing home. In response, Roy stated, “I built a nursing home in 1984, gradually developed during the Left Front’s rule. Anyone can visit my nursing home to verify my claims.”

Roy began his political journey with the Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of the Congress party, and became associated with Ajit Panja. He first won a seat as an MLA from Belgachia West in 1987 and joined the TMC after its formation by Mamata Banerjee in 1998. After winning a bypoll in 2009, he has continued to serve as the MLA for Serampore, securing victories in subsequent elections, including the 2021 Assembly elections.

The ED investigation was prompted by the tragic alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at R.G. Kar on August 9, which ignited widespread protests and a standoff between the medical community and the state government.