Did the Calcutta HC Reverse the Suspension of Former Trinamool RS Member's Medical Registration?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta HC annulled the suspension of Santanu Sen's medical registration.
- The suspension was deemed procedurally flawed by the court.
- Sen argued that the council's actions were motivated by personal vendetta.
- The ruling emphasizes the need for transparency and fairness in medical governance.
- Future proceedings must adhere to proper procedures.
Kolkata, July 7 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court has overturned the West Bengal Medical Council's decision to suspend the medical registration of the former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen for a duration of two years.
This ruling from the single-judge bench presided over by Justice Amrita Sinha provides significant relief to Sen. Had his medical registration remained suspended, he would not have been able to use the title “Dr” before his name or issue any medical prescriptions during that time.
The judgement also served as a considerable setback for the state medical council, which was criticized by the court for labeling the suspension decision as “non-speaking” and “cryptic”. Such terms indicate that an administrative order lacks a clear rationale or justification.
Justice Sinha noted that the state medical council ought to have submitted a comprehensive report detailing their findings to Sen before hearing his arguments, thereby ensuring a fair conclusion.
Furthermore, the judge emphasized that any future proceedings should adhere to this same procedural framework.
According to the previous order from the state medical council, Sen's medical registration was suspended due to allegations of using the postgraduate qualification of Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Glasgow) on his letterhead without proper registration with the council.
A representative from the council mentioned that they had recently sent an email to Glasgow to verify whether Sen was permitted to use that degree on his letterhead, but they had yet to receive a response.
In response, Sen argued that the actions against him were motivated by vendetta from certain factions within the council, prompting him to challenge the decision in the Calcutta High Court.
Sen has a long history as a state government representative in the West Bengal Medical Council. However, following his disagreements with party leadership regarding the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, he faced suspension from the party and subsequent removal from the council.