Calcutta High Court Issues Notice On Plea Claiming Presence Of "Threat Nexus Syndicate" At State-Run Hospitals

The Calcutta High Court has sought a response from the state authorities on a plea which alleged the presence of a "threat culture" at state-run West Bengal Medical Colleges and Hospitals.

"If any of these allegations are found to be correct, then this a very serious issue," remarked Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam.

It was stated by the petitioners that there was a prevalence of reports regarding the presence of a threat nexus syndicate run by certain persons named in the plea.

It was further stated that certain persons were allowed to get away by the state which transferred them to other hospitals. The petitioners alleged the presence of a "North Bengal lobby" which influences transfers and promotions.

Court noted that the petitioners had alleged that they came across multiple reports of threat culture in state government-run medical colleges and hospitals, including the "sale of answer keys for examinations, bribery, corruption, sexual assault and abuse of medical students and junior doctors."

Accordingly, the bench, also comprising Justice Bivas Patanayak directed the state respondents to respond to the plea and adjourned the hearing to November.

Case: ARCHISMAN BHATTACHARJEE AND ANR. VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Case No: WPA(P) 406 of 2024