Accusing the TMC government of trying to cover up in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at state-run RG Kar Hospital, the BJP on Sunday alleged that the state Health Department changed the list of doctors to be deployed at the Independence Day parade rehearsal to “protect those close to former principal Sandip Ghosh”.
BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay said the state Health Department in its first order, dated August 8, had named four doctors to be deployed at the Red Road for the Independence Day parade rehearsal.
The rape-murder incident took place on August 9. “It was revised/scrapped, and a new order was sent for 34 doctors across the state, directing them to report at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital at 5.30 am on August 9, instead of SSKM Hospital, which is near the parade area,” the BJP leader alleged.
The first order included a proper memo, but the second had an incorrect memo and was a backdated order, the state BJP general secretary said. “What made the state Health Department change the order, and we came to know that the order was prepared after the incident, on a back date, and uploaded on the official website. According to the first order (Memo no- 2344/HF/O/GA/W-85/2022), dated August 8, four doctors were deputed for Independence Day parade and rehearsal. For August 9, it mentioned that the four doctors would report at SSKM Hospital after the rehearsal. Meanwhile, the second order (Memo no- M/2007 dated August 6) was sent to 34 doctors across the state, who were asked to report at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital at 5.30 am on August 9.
Chattopadhyay claimed that the change was made only to justify the presence of some doctors at the RG Kar Hospital premises on August 9.
“This list also had names of doctors Avik De and Birupaksha Biswas, who were already suspended by the Medical Council of India… All these were made to save the gangs of Sandip Ghosh,” the BJP leader said.
Earlier this week, the Medical Council of India suspended Avik De, a resident medical officer of the radio diagnosis department at Burdwan Medical College, and Birupaksha Biswas, a senior doctor in the pathology department of the same medical college. The two doctors are known to be close to Sandip Ghosh and have been accused of threatening doctors and junior doctors.
“Why after making the second order, the first intimation went to Chaitali Chakraborty, Special Commissioner of Health and Family welfare department. She has a very nearest relative who deputed in the Chief Minister Office, that is the cause? We need such questions and I am sure CBI will also investigate this,” Chattopadhyay further said.
Reacting to the allegations by the BJP, TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said, “What BJP general secretary alleged instead of saying it in front of the media, they should put it down to the central investigating agency, CBI. Because, they are now investigating rape and murder as well as corruption at RG Kar medical college and hospital. Why is the BJP taking pain on their shoulders and making doubts instead of giving it to the CBI to get the best result?”
The health department declined to comment on the issue.
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