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On Patients Day, Healthcare Watchdog PBT Demands Dissolution of West Bengal Medical Council, Highlights Major Legal Victories
On Patients Day, Healthcare Watchdog PBT Demands Dissolution of West Bengal Medical Council, Highlights Major Legal Victories
KOLKATA — Marking May 28 as "Patients’ Day" (Rogi Divas), the medical watchdog group People for Better Treatment (PBT) has issued a fierce call for systemic healthcare reforms in West Bengal. Accusing the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) of rampant corruption and protecting errant doctors, PBT has officially submitted a memorandum to the Governor of West Bengal demanding the council's immediate dissolution.
The day carries immense personal and historical weight for the organization. On May 28, 1998, Anuradha Saha, wife of PBT President Dr. Kunal Saha, passed away due to what has been recognized as the biggest medical negligence case in Indian medicolegal history. Since then, the day has been observed annually to empower patients and elevate public awareness regarding medical malpractice and patients' rights.
Memorandum to Governor: WBMC Labeled "Illegal" and "Corrupt"
In a memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble Governor at Raj Bhavan, PBT President Dr. Kunal Saha sharply criticized the current framework of the WBMC.
"Ad-hoc" Leadership Allegations: The memorandum alleges that despite a June 2022 Calcutta High Court judgment declaring the council had been functioning "unlawfully," most doctor-members running the WBMC today are unelected. PBT claims they were added as illegitimate "Ad-hoc" members solely due to close political ties with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.
Shielding Malpractice: PBT alleges that these unelected members are investigating medical negligence complaints, leading to a system where more than 95% of complaints against doctors are routinely dismissed.
The Demand: PBT has urged the Governor to dissolve the council immediately and establish a transparent, legally compliant WBMC through free and fair elections, free from political pressure.
Landmark Legal Battles and Key Achievements
Alongside their fresh demands, PBT highlighted several critical legal updates and milestones in their ongoing battle against medical corruption:
CBI Investigation Sought Over Nepotism: The Calcutta High Court has issued a notice in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the appointment of an allegedly unqualified doctor—who is the daughter of ex-Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s personal physician—as a professor at the prestigious SSKM Hospital.
Criminal Trial Against Top Doctors: A criminal trial has commenced in Bidhannagar against six top WBMC members—including Drs. Birupaksha Biswas, Avik De, Nirmal Maji, S.N. Roy, and K. Mahata—for the alleged assault and criminal intimidation of Dr. Kunal Saha during a recent election.
₹47 Lakh Compensation Awarded: In a major judgment delivered on May 6, 2026, the State Commission ordered Belle Vue Clinic and senior gynecologist Dr. Niranjan Bhattacharya to pay ₹47 lakh in compensation for medical negligence. The victory was secured with the direct legal assistance of PBT.
A Pro-Bono Crusade:
PBT reiterated that it continues to fight legal battles across various courts in India on behalf of countless victims of medical malpractice. True to its charitable mission, the organization provides this vital medicolegal aid without charging a single rupee to the victims.
By connecting historical loss to active legal and administrative battles, PBT continues to position itself as a fierce advocate for accountability, aiming to restore public trust in the healthcare ecosystem.
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