Kolkata:
Cancellation of Medical Registration for Former RG Kar Medical College Principal
The West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has taken the significant step of revoking the medical registration of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College. This decision comes after Ghosh failed to respond to a showcause notice issued by the council on September 7, which requested an explanation as to why his registration should not be annulled. He was given a three-day window to provide his response.
Currently incarcerated, Ghosh did not address the showcause notice that outlined various allegations against him involving serious irregularities. The WBMC had clearly stated that if he did not reply within the specified timeframe or if his response was deemed inadequate, they would proceed with canceling his registration. Manas Chakraborti, registrar of WBMC, confirmed that Ghosh’s medical license would be revoked “by Thursday.”
Pressure from Medical Associations
In a related development, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in West Bengal has urged immediate action from WBMC regarding Sandip Ghosh’s medical credentials. In a letter addressed to Sudipta Roy, president of WBMC and signed by IMA Bengal leaders Dilip Pal and Santanu Sen, they expressed concern over why there had been no cancellation despite clear non-compliance with regulations.
Adding complexity to this situation is an ongoing investigation involving Roy himself by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), with raids being conducted as recently as Wednesday.
Calls for Reform in WBMC
The Service Doctors’ Forum has also voiced its concerns regarding governance within WBMC. They have reached out to both the National Medical Commission and West Bengal’s governor requesting dissolution of the council due to allegations against key officials like president Sudipta Roy and vice-president Sushanta Roy who are implicated in corruption scandals. Sajal Biswas and Durgarasad Chakraborty from Service Doctors’ Forum highlighted issues such as alleged electoral fraud during the 2022 elections for council positions.
In light of these events surrounding RG Kar College’s leadership crisis, at least five members have resigned from their posts citing loss of credibility within WBMC itself. Notably, Sandip Ghosh is among those members alongside Avik De and Birupaksha Biswas.
This unfolding scenario raises critical questions about accountability within medical governance in West Bengal and reflects broader concerns about integrity in healthcare administration across India.
Intern at SMK University