The CBI has begun zeroing in on some senior doctors and officials at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who were allegedly involved in floating tenders, said officers in the central agency which is probing alleged financial irregularities at the hospital.

The officers said on Sunday that the process of identifying the doctors and others started following allegations that Sandip Ghosh, the former RG Kar principal who is in CBI custody in connection with the alleged irregularities, had “bypassed the scrutiny of expenditures” from the funds the health department had given for academic purposes.

A preliminary list of suspects has been drawn up. Those whose names figure on the list are likely to be summoned for questioning shortly, sources in the agency said.

The CBI had on September 2 arrested Ghosh, who resigned as RG Kar principal days after a junior doctor was found raped and murdered on the campus, and three others — Afsar Ali, Suman Hazra and Biplab Singha — in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the hospital.

Sources in the agency said the CBI is probing the criminality and the Enforcement Directorate is looking into the alleged money trail.

A “forwarding note” by a senior CBI officer to the judge of the special CBI court in Alipore on September 3 said Ghosh used a set of contractors known to him to divert funds meant for academic purposes.

“Dr Sandip Ghosh caused diversion of funds from Academic funds for payments with respect to works carried out by his clout of contractors and thereby bypassed the scrutiny of expenditures...” the note said.

Academic funds are to be spent on buying books, journals, computers, laptops and other items needed for academic activities.

The CBI has learnt that a tender committee headed by then principal Ghosh used to oversee the process of floating tenders and selecting vendors for various projects.

The committee would comprise several officials, including the medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal, a deputy superintendent and the accounts officer of the medical college, CBI sources said.

“If a tender is floated to buy a particular instrument, the head of the department that would use the instrument is usually asked to send specifications about it,” said a senior faculty member at RG Kar.

“The head of the department is accountable if it is found after purchase that the instrument does not meet the specifications.”

Sources in the CBI said the agency is zeroing in on those who were aware of the diversion of funds meant for academic purposes on Ghosh’s watch.

Several documents, including tender papers, quotations, award contract letters and other materials, were seized during a search at Ghosh’s house and other places, including his former office.

The papers seem to indicate that the former principal was involved in irregularities under several heads, including disposal of bio-medical waste and the appointment of vendors and house staff, sources said.