BJP Leader moves Calcutta High Court seeking direction to State Govt to not admit any TMC leader facing CBI/ED probe in state-run hospitals

A writ petition has been filed before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday by BJP Minority Morcha Leader Nazia Elahi Khan seeking directions to the State government to not admit any influential leader/Minister of the ruling party to whom notice of appearance had been sent by the ED or the CBI for investigation in state-run hospitals.

Khan stated that the inactions of the Centre and the State allow leaders of the ruling party to get admitted to state-run hospitals in order to evade arrest or interrogation in high-profile cases which is against the fundamental right to Life as enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Khan further stated that the same affects the treatment of genuine patients as the doctors are busy treating these leaders/Ministers of the ruling party who may be admitted on frivolous grounds. The Doctors are not able to give attention to genuine patients, and these patients are even unable to get beds in state-run hospitals, and this would affect the interests of the public at large, Khan contended.

The plea filed through Advocate Ranojoy Chatterjee sought that the State government should file a status report before the High Court though the Superintendents (SI)/ Directors of State government run hospitals where influential leaders/ Ministers have been admitted for treatment in order to determine whether further admission of such person is required or not, and if a reference of any Medical Practitioner of the Centre or the Defense Ministry is required for the report’s genuineness.

The plea further sought the State government to ensure that no influence/high-handedness of the ruling party in West Bengal is extended to the influential leader/Minister who is accused of committing an offence that is being investigated.

The plea further sought that the West Bengal Medical Council should investigate Prof. (Dr.) Manimay Bandhopadhya and Dr. Buddhadeb Murmu (SI) for getting involved in "an infamous conduct in a professional respect," as defined in Section 25 (a) (ii) of the Bengal Medical Act, 1914, and submit a report on the matter.

Furthermore, the plea sought a direction to the State government take strict action against SSKM Super Specialist Hospital and Bolpur Sub-Divisional Hospital for acting as a "safe haven" for influential leaders/Ministers of West Bengal's ruling party, who is being investigated by the CBI and ED.

Case Title: Nazia Elahi Khan v. State of West Bengal & Ors.