Suspended Trinamool Congress MP and Saradha scam accused Kunal Ghosh today allegedly tried to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills in the Presidency Correctional Home, following which the jail superintendent, doctor and a staff on duty were suspended.
West Bengal Correctional Home Services minister H A Safwi said Ghosh, who has been in jail since his arrest last year, had claimed to have consumed sleeping pills and was admitted to state-run SSKM Hospital.
Pradip Mitra, SSKM Director, told reporters that Ghosh was in a drowsy state when he was brought to the hospital.
"He was admitted to CCU. His stomach was washed and samples were sent for forensic test. Ghosh claimed that he has taken 40 sleeping pills", Mitra said.
Making a statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced suspension of the Superintendent of Presidency Correctional Home, jail doctor and on duty staff.
She said that a committee, headed by Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, had been constituted to inquire into the incident.
The superintendent, jail doctor and on-duty staff would remain suspended pending completion of the inquiry, she said.
Describing Ghosh's condition as absolutely stable, she said, "At 2 AM, he himself complained of uneasiness. He also walked," she said.
Banerjee, however, said, "Why should (the) doctor give him 15 sleeping pills? Two or three sleeping pills could have been given to him ... Perhaps he did not take as many pills as reported. Doctors also said it could not be that he has taken so many pills," she said.
Presidency Correctional Home authorities, meanwhile, filed an FIR at the Hastings Police Station against Ghosh for allegedly attempting to commit suicide, police sources said.
When he was produced before a city court on November 10, Ghosh had threatened to commit suicide if the CBI did not take 'proper action' against those involved in the chit fund scam within three days.
