The Calcutta High Court, in a significant move on Tuesday, has placed the suspension of 57 medical students and trainees of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on hold pending a decision by the West Bengal government. The suspension, initiated by the special college council on October 5, came after allegations that these individuals were part of a pervasive threat culture within the institution.
The decision follows a disturbing incident on August 9, where a postgraduate trainee was tragically raped and murdered inside the medical college premises, sparking widespread protests and demands for justice and increased security measures from junior doctors across the state.
Justice Kausik Chanda, presiding over the case, ruled that there is no current basis to enforce the council’s suspension resolution. He stipulated that the resolution shall remain ineffective unless ratified by state authorities in accordance with established legal procedures.
The petitioners, comprising the suspended individuals, argued that the special college council did not possess the authority to suspend or expel them. On the other hand, representatives from the medical college maintained that the suspension was only a recommendation pending further government action.
This controversy has drawn the attention of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also serves as the Health Minister. In a recent meeting with the aggrieved junior doctors, she expressed her dismay over the council’s decision to suspend the medics without proper procedural adherence.
