Suspended Trinamool Congress MP and Saradha scam accused Kunal Ghosh was rushed to the city’s SSKM hospital early on Friday morning after he allegedly tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills.
Dr Pradip Mitra, SSKM Director, told reporters that Ghosh was in a drowsy state when he was brought to the hospital from the Presidency Correctional Home. “His condition is stable now. His stomach was washed and the samples have been sent for forensic examination,” Dr. Mitra told journalists.
Making a statement in the Assembly at mid-day, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the suspension of the jail superintendent, a senior medical officer and a prison guard.
She said a committee headed by Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee would inquire into the incident and the jail staff would remain suspended till then.
Describing Ghosh’s condition as “absolutely stable”, she said, “At 2 a.m., he himself complained of uneasiness. He also walked,” she said.
While jail sources told The Hindu that Ghosh had taken “three pills”, media reports quoting various sources suggested he had consumed “50-60 pills”. The Chief Minister said in Assembly that doctors attending him have said he “does not seem to have taken so many sleeping pills”.
The jail authorities have reportedly filed a case against Ghosh under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code for attempt to suicide.
Earlier this week Ghosh had said in court that he would commit suicide if the “real culprits” behind the Saradha ponzi scam are not put behind bars. He gave the administration and the judiciary “three days time” to nab the real culprits.
Ms. Banerjee also expressed displeasure with Minister of Correctional Administration Haider Aziz Safwi and he is likely to be relieved of his duty. According to AITC sources, Ms Banerjee was not satisfied with retired IPS officer, Mr Safwi's performance as a Minister. She is also expected to make few changes in her cabinet over the weekend.
Meanwhile, national secretary and observer in West Bengal of the Bharatiya Janata Party Siddhartha Nath Singh crticised the jail authorities for mishandling the situation and wondered whether there is a “political motive behind letting him commit suicide”.
e to the jail authorities to know how the medicines reached him and will also inform the court,” the sources said.
