RG Kar ex-princy no longer a doc as medical council cancels registration

RG Kar ex-princy no longer a doc as medical council cancels registration 

Ghosh Couldn’t Contest As He Was Behind Bars When Notice Was Served

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesofindia.com 20.09.2024

Kolkata : Former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh ceased to be a doctor on Thursday with the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) cancelling his medical practitioner registration on Thursday, as it had said it would. Ghosh, an orthopaedic surgeon, will no longer be able to practise unless the cancellation is revoked. The striking off of Ghosh’s name happened on a day when various doctors’ organisations demonstrated in front the council’s office demanding cleansing of the council, which is mired in controversy. “We have cancelled the registration of Sandip Ghosh as he failed to reply to the showcause notice even after 13 days,” said a WBMC official. Council registrar Manas Chakraborti had told TOI on Wednesday that a decision on Ghosh’s removal from the council’s registration as a medical practitioner had been taken and that the official notice would be issued by Thursday.

 Ghosh, at present in prison, was served on Sept 6 a showcause notice by the council asking him to reply within three days. At the time he was already in CBI custody. He was arrested first on Sept 2 on financial irregularity charges, to which the investigation agency added evidence destruction charges on Sept 14. Thursday’s notice said Ghosh’s registration had been cancelled according to provisions under Section 25(a)(ii) of the Bengal Medical Act, 1914, and Sec 37 (iii) of the Code of Medical Ethics adopted by the council. Since Ghosh was already behind bars when the notice was issued, sources said he could contest the cancellation later as he was not available when the showcause was served. 

In a letter signed by its president, Dilip Kumar Dutta, and honorary secretary Sanatnu Sen, IMA West Bengal had sent a strongly worded letter to WBMC asking why it was delaying cancelling Ghosh’s registration. The medical fraternity has been alleging that WBMC is the origin of corrupt practices. Various doctors’ organisations held an agitation at the council’s office demanding the dissolution of the council and conducting fresh polls to elect new members.