Former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh has approached the Calcutta High Court, claiming that his life is in danger and seeking protection from the state. This comes in the wake of the recent violence at the hospital, which has left the institution and its staff reeling from the aftermath.
Dr. Ghosh, who had served as the principal of R.G. Kar Medical College until his resignation earlier this year, filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court on August 16, 2024, citing serious threats to his life and well-being. In his plea, he alleged that the current atmosphere at the hospital, combined with the heightened tensions following the recent mob violence, had made him a target. He expressed fears for his safety, pointing to the volatile situation that has engulfed the institution in recent months.
The former principal’s petition has sent shockwaves through the medical community and has drawn significant media attention. In his affidavit, Dr. Ghosh detailed several incidents in which he felt his life was at risk, particularly in connection with his handling of administrative matters during his tenure. He claimed that his attempts to enforce discipline and address issues of malpractice within the hospital had earned him powerful enemies, who he believes are now orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against him.
Dr. Ghosh’s concerns are not without precedent. The atmosphere at R.G. Kar Medical College has been fraught with tension for some time, and the recent violent incident at the hospital has only exacerbated the situation. On August 15, a mob of angry relatives attacked the hospital staff following the death of a patient, leading to widespread chaos and injuries. The incident, which involved vandalism and physical assaults on doctors and nurses, has brought to light the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, with many questioning the state’s ability to protect its healthcare professionals.
In his petition, Dr. Ghosh highlighted the failure of the state authorities to provide adequate security at the hospital, despite repeated requests for increased protection. He argued that the recent violence is symptomatic of a larger problem of lawlessness in the state and that his life is at risk as a result of the breakdown of law and order. He further alleged that there were vested interests within and outside the hospital who were seeking to harm him, and that the state government had failed to take his concerns seriously.
The Calcutta High Court has taken note of Dr. Ghosh’s plea and has directed the state government to respond to his allegations. The court has also sought a report on the current security arrangements at R.G. Kar Medical College, indicating that the matter will be taken up for further hearing in the coming days. Legal experts believe that the court’s intervention could lead to a broader examination of the security situation at medical institutions across the state, particularly in light of the increasing incidents of violence against healthcare professionals.
The state government, on its part, has refuted the claims made by Dr. Ghosh, insisting that adequate security measures are in place at R.G. Kar Medical College. A spokesperson for the state health department described the former principal’s fears as “exaggerated” and accused him of attempting to gain publicity through the court case. The spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all healthcare workers and stated that steps were being taken to address any gaps in security at the hospital.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Sandip Ghosh’s plea for protection has added a new layer of complexity to the already charged atmosphere at R.G. Kar Medical College. The situation at the hospital, which has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about law and order in West Bengal, is now under the scrutiny of the judiciary, with the outcome of the case likely to have significant implications for the state’s healthcare system.
As the Calcutta High Court prepares to hear Dr. Ghosh’s petition, the question of whether the state can adequately protect its healthcare professionals remains unanswered. The case has highlighted the precarious position of those who work in the state’s medical institutions, where the threat of violence looms large, and where the safety of doctors, nurses, and administrators has become a matter of urgent concern.