Kolkata, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Wednesday, insisted that officials from central agencies such as CBI and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) be incorporated into the ongoing investigation regarding the death of a woman at a state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district, allegedly after receiving expired Ringer’s Lactate.

On Wednesday afternoon, Adhikari led a group of BJP supporters to Swasthya Bhawan at Salt Lake, located on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, where he submitted a petition to the special secretary of the state health department.

“The criminal investigation department of state police is currently handling the investigation. This situation cannot persist. It is essential for the CBI to be included in the special investigation team overseeing the case. Additionally, I have urged the special secretary to engage officials from the DCGI. I also call for a sitting judge to oversee the investigation's progress,” the BJP leader informed the media following the submission.

He further stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state health minister must take moral responsibility for the demise of the woman, Mamoni Ruidas. “The state government should also offer a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the victim's family,” he added.

Meanwhile, a team of CID officials visited the principal's office of the medical college and hospital, collecting various documents on Wednesday afternoon. The investigators also toured the maternity division of the hospital where the woman is reported to have died.

Last week, five women fell ill at the state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district, allegedly after being administered with expired Ringer’s Lactate. While Ruidas passed away last Friday, the other four were treated in the critical care unit and intensive care units of the same hospital. Subsequently, three of them were transferred to the state-run S.S.K.M Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata due to significant declines in their health conditions.

This incident has raised critical concerns, primarily because the expired RL saline is believed to have originated from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company that was previously banned by the Karnataka government and subsequently by the West Bengal government.

Initially, the state health department instructed medical superintendents-cum-vice principals of all medical colleges and hospitals, along with chief medical officers of districts, “to ensure a complete halt of existing stock of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection (RL) supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd in their respective jurisdictions.” Later, the state government mandated the removal of all medicinal stocks supplied by the company from healthcare facilities across the state.