Kolkata
Sudipto Roy, a four-time Trinamool Congress MLA and chairman of the patients’ welfare committee at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, for questioning on Thursday. Roy, who also serves on the West Bengal Medical Recruitment Board and as president of the West Bengal Medical Council, is under scrutiny in a financial irregularities case involving the state-run hospital.
Earlier this month, both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at Roy’s residence and nursing home in North Kolkata. During the 20-hour raid on September 17, the ED seized a box of documents. The CBI’s investigation is court-monitored, while the ED’s involvement stems from its own Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, recently accused Roy of diverting medical equipment intended for R.G. Kar to his own nursing home. Roy has denied these allegations, demanding proof from his accuser.
This week, Satyrabrata Kumar, a 2004-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, took over as the Special Director (Eastern region) of the ED. The appointment aims to expedite investigations into various financial scams in West Bengal, including those related to R.G. Kar.
Facilities withdrawn from junior doctors’ protest site
On Thursday, the agency supplying items for the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) protest started removing tarpaulins, cam-cots, and fans from the site at the health department headquarters. When questioned, the agency workers said they were directed to take the items for another event.
The junior doctors are worried that outside pressure might be affecting this decision, though they are unsure why. They were caught off guard by the removal since no official order had been given. Despite this, the WBJDF plans to keep protesting until their demands are met.
A crucial meeting with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, which lasted into the night, failed to produce a formal agreement. The state government only provided verbal promises without documenting the discussion. The WBJDF continues their protest, driven by the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
