Bengal probe ordered against ex-Calcutta Medical College superintendent Dr Anjan Adhikari
Synopsis
Days after being removed as superintendent of India's oldest medical college, Dr Anjan Adhikari now faces a formal departmental inquiry ordered by the West Bengal health department — the latest salvo in the new state government's crackdown on broker syndicates and referral culture in public hospitals.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal health department issued a departmental inquiry order against Dr Anjan Adhikari on Tuesday night, 27 May .
Allegations include serious negligence, dereliction of duty, and administrative lapses during his tenure at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital .
Dr Adhikari was removed as superintendent on Monday over complaints of broker syndicates harassing patients within the hospital.
He has been transferred to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital in North Dinajpur — the new government's first major transfer post-election.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had warned all 12 medical college heads on 15 May to end referral culture and admit patients when beds were available.
Calcutta Medical College and Hospital , established on 28 January 1835 , is India's oldest medical institution.
The West Bengal state health department has ordered a departmental inquiry against Dr Anjan Adhikari, the former Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, over allegations of serious negligence, dereliction of duty, and administrative lapses. The inquiry order was issued on Tuesday night, a senior government official confirmed on Wednesday, 27 May.
What the Inquiry Covers
According to the health department's order, the allegations against Dr Adhikari relate to serious negligence and administrative failures during his tenure as superintendent of one of India's most prominent public health institutions. The government determined that the weight of these allegations warranted a formal departmental probe. Dr Adhikari has since been transferred to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital in North Dinajpur district, North Bengal, where he is currently posted.
The Removal That Preceded the Probe
On Monday, the state government removed Dr Adhikari from the superintendent's post at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital following complaints that patients were being harassed by broker syndicates operating within the hospital system. His transfer to Raiganj was notably the first major administrative transfer executed by the new state government after assuming charge following the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Chief Minister's Warning and the Referral Culture Crackdown
The action against Dr Adhikari is part of a broader push by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to curb the referral culture prevalent in government hospitals across the state. On 15 May, the Chief Minister chaired a meeting at SSKM Hospital with senior health department officials, superintendents, and principals of 12 medical colleges. He made it unequivocal that patients must be admitted whenever even a minimum number of beds were available, factoring in their physical condition. Despite this directive, complaints of patients being referred elsewhere from medical colleges continued to surface, ultimately triggering the superintendent's removal.
About Calcutta Medical College and Hospital
Calcutta Medical College and Hospital is India's oldest medical institution, established on 28 January 1835 by Lord William Bentinck. Its centrality to Bengal's public health infrastructure makes governance lapses at the facility a matter of significant public concern, and the inquiry is expected to be closely watched by medical professionals and patient advocacy groups alike.
What Happens Next
With both a transfer and a departmental inquiry now in place, Dr Adhikari faces compounding institutional pressure. The outcome of the probe could set a precedent for accountability measures across other state-run medical colleges in West Bengal, particularly as the new government signals a zero-tolerance stance on administrative negligence in public healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the West Bengal government ordered a probe against Dr Anjan Adhikari?
The West Bengal health department ordered a departmental inquiry against Dr Anjan Adhikari over allegations of serious negligence, dereliction of duty, and administrative lapses during his tenure as Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. The order was issued on Tuesday night, 27 May 2025.
What led to Dr Adhikari's removal as superintendent?
Dr Adhikari was removed from the superintendent's post on Monday after complaints emerged that patients were being harassed by broker syndicates operating within the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital system. His removal was the new state government's first major administrative transfer after assuming charge.
Where has Dr Anjan Adhikari been transferred?
Dr Adhikari has been transferred to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital in North Dinajpur district, North Bengal, where he is currently working.
What is Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's stance on referral culture in hospitals?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has taken a firm stance against the referral culture in government hospitals. On 15 May, he chaired a meeting with officials and heads of 12 medical colleges at SSKM Hospital, directing that patients must be admitted whenever minimum beds are available, regardless of condition. Continued non-compliance at Calcutta Medical College contributed to Dr Adhikari's removal.
What is the significance of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital?
Calcutta Medical College and Hospital is India's oldest medical institution, established on 28 January 1835 by Lord William Bentinck. Its historical and public health significance makes governance failures there a matter of broad concern across West Bengal.
