TMC MP attempts suicide; jail staff suspended

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday suspended jail officials and on-duty hospital staff in the wake of the reported suicide attempt by suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh, who is in jail for his alleged complicity in the Saradha scam.

Ghosh's condition is now stable. He was hospitalised Friday after he complained of feeling unwell, police said.

Ghosh Nov 10 threatened to commit suicide if others involved in the swindle were not arrested within three days.

Banerjee Friday said in the state assembly the superintendent of Presidency Jail, attending doctor, nurse and on-duty staff of the hospital have been suspended.

Police said Ghosh claimed "before jail authorities that he had consumed sleeping pills".

"We are waiting for jail authorities to confirm if it is an attempt to suicide, after which we will proceed accordingly," Deputy Commissioner of South Division Murlidhar Sharma told IANS.

The Trinamool MP was shifted to SSKM Hospital around 3 a.m.

"Kunal Ghosh's condition is stable now. He is responding to treatment and speaking. His stomach was cleared on arrival (at hospital) and he was given a liquid diet also," said Sumanjit Roy, Deputy Commissioner, Detective Department.

"The circumstances under which he said he was unwell are still under inquiry and whether there was any attempted suicide or not is yet to be ascertained," said Sharma.

Ghosh, who headed Saradha media arm before being arrested in November last year, has been alleging the involvement of several leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress, including its top brass.

He also urged the court to disallow anyone from meeting him in the jail, lest he be "dissuaded or influenced".

Asserting that he was framed, Ghosh alleged the investigation was been influenced and demanded to know what action has been taken against those who started the ponzi schemes.