People for Better Treatment

It was a big news in 2015 when three powerful medical leaders backed by the ruling Trinomul-Congress party in West Bengal hatched an unthinkable plan to perform dialysis of a pet dog in the top government SSKM hospital in Kolkata. It was a tremendously reckless plan that could have jeopardized countless human patients to serious …

In a landmark judgment that may have major implications for countless victims of medical negligence seeking justice after losing their loved one to wrong treatment, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya of Calcutta High Court allowed a writ petition filed by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, holding that Dr. Saha, who has been appearing to argue “medical negligence” …

Indian health minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who is also a bona fide allopathic medical doctor was in the news across the country for openly and publicly endorsing a new Ayurvedic drug, Coronil, manufactured by Patanjali Research Institute, standing next to the well-know Yoga-guru Swami Ramdev, claiming that this is the first medicine that can even …

A new thought-provoking article, “The dangerous doctors who get away”, published earlier this week in the “Morning Context” underscores decades of high-profile medical negligence cases that brings to light the almost non-existent to get equitable medical justice by the hapless victims of medical negligence. The report also describes how the seemingly untouchable and influential members …

Indian health authorities including ICMR and Ministry of Health went on a massive propaganda recommending unproven anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), to combat COVID-19 soon after coronavirus pandemic started in India almost one year ago. Despite no supporting scientific evidence and serious warnings for potential cardiac problems from leading medical groups including American Health Association (AHA), …

In the recent pre-election months, Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Government has been touting the “Swasthya Sathi” medical scheme with boisterous claims that all residents of West Bengal will be covered under free health insurance program paid by the state government that will pay up to Rs. 5 lakh each year to cover hospital charges. Of …

PRESS RELEASE We are deeply shocked and outraged as large number of innocent newborns died from suffocation after a fire broke out at the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) at the District Hospital in Bhandara, Maharashtra today. This horrific incidence can leave absolutely no doubt that these innocent children died due to gross negligence and …

For the first time since its inception two decades ago, PBT held its first ever virtual conference with supporters and members across different states in India and USA via Zoom on Wednesday (December 30, 2020). PBT founding-president, Dr. Kunal Saha, hosted the online meeting from his residence in Ohio, USA as many victims of medical …

In regard to the investigation of complaints against Section 8.4 of Medical Council of India (MCI) “Code of Ethics & Regulations, 2002” has unequivocally stated, “Decision on complaint against delinquent physician shall be taken within a time limit of 6 months”. While most complaints of ethical misdeeds or medical negligence against doctors are dismissed by …

The West Bengal Clinical Establishments Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) issued an advisory directing that although private hospitals may not refuse admission of COVID-19 or other patients even if they are unable to pay required hospital costs at the time of admission, hospitals have a right to discharge and send shift the ailing patients away if they …

Veteran doctor Sukumar Mukherjee, the most notorious physician who was found guilty by the Apex Court of India not only for medical negligence but also for gross unethical behavior in the well-known Anuradha Saha wrongful death case, has been selected by the West Bengal Health Regulatory Commission to head an 8-member doctors’ Committee to probe …

Despite most international medical studies found absolutely no evidence in support of using anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat COVID-19, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), top governmental organization to frame guidelines to fight the ongoing COVID pandemic in India, recommended that HCQ may be used to combat COVID-19 based on anecdotal evidence. The World …

Supreme Court of India suo motu started a public interest litigation (PIL) on the clinical management of COVID-19 patients and disposal of dead bodies after watching disturbing news of horrific conditions of COVID-hospitals from the media at large (W.P. Civil No. 7/2020; In Re: Proper Treatment of COVID-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies …

Supreme Court of India took up a public interest litigation (PIL) last month on it’s own motion (Suo Motu) citing the pitiful condition of COVID-19 patients who are being treated as per ICMR guidelines with little or no accountability. The Apex Court made scathing criticism of the present situation and issued notices to the central …

While disposing of the writ petition (PIL) filed by PBT challenging the “off-label” and unscientific use of anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in COVID-19 patients, Hon’ble Apex Court passed an order on 30th April, 2020 directing the Solicitor General that the issues in this PIL may be placed before ICMR and ICMR should consider the points …

The General Medical Council (GMC), central regulator for medical practice in United Kingdom (UK), has decided indefinite suspension of medical registration of a Pakistan-based surgeon, Mohammad Iqbal Adil, pending full investigation for dubbing the global COVID-19 pandemic as a “hoax”, reported today by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (see below). The COVID-19 pandemic that has …

An ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to test the role of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 was prematurely halted by the British scientists by calling it “Useless” as they found no evidence of any positive effects of this anti-malarial drug against the coronavirus (see below). The US Food and Drug …

“Rogi Divas” (“Patients’ Day”) will be observed, like previous years, to commemorate the death of all victims of medical negligence including the death of Anuradha Saha (who died on May 28, 1998 due to gross medical negligence by several top Kolkata doctors) and to empower the Indian patients and their families who have been suffering …

Two separate studies published in the latest issue of the top international medical journal, British Medical Journal (BMJ), finds that there is absolutely no benefit for COVID-19 patients in different stages of the disease who are treated with the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). While a large study from China with patients with mild to moderate …

In response to PBT’s PIL and direction from the Supreme Court of India about “off-label” use of unproven anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and antibiotic Azithromycin (AZM), assistant director of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), highest authority to regulate treatment of COVID-19 in India, sent a letter dated 16th May, 2020 to answer PBT’s …

It was widely reported last month that large number defective kits from China to test COVID-19 were supplied to many laboratories in West Bengal and other states by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) producing many “false negative” results to detect the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. False negative test results not only give false low number of …

Dr. Pradip Kumar Mitra, retired director of Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER) and SSKM Hospital, premier state-run super-speciality medical center in Kolkata, was recalled this week and posted as the chief “Coordinator” for the Management and Containment of COVID-19 Pandemic (MCCP) by West Bengal government. Dr. Mitra has a grossly tainted background …

As controversy erupted with selection of a convicted physician, Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, to the “Global Advisory Board” (GAB) to frame medical plans for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal, a second member of the elite GAB, a US-based physician, Thomas Frieden, is also reported to have an equally checkered past. Dr. Frieden was arrested …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha appeared “in person” through “live” videoconferencing from USA to argue before a 3-judge Supreme Court bench of Justices R.V. Ramana, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B.R. Gavai in the PIL filed by PBT seeking changes to the widespread recommended “treatment guidelines” for use of unapproved anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and broad-spectrum …

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) today published online a “Rapid Response” written by PBT president and USA-based HIV/AIDS scientist, Dr. Kunal Saha, in regard to the rampant use of anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in treatment of COVID-19 patients in India (see below, also available at the link: https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1432/rapid-responses). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) …

Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in USA issued a stark warning today on the use of anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), either alone or in combination with Azithromycin (AZM), in the treatment of COVID-19 patients despite president Trump’s vociferous promotion of HCQ (see FDA release below). PBT already lodged a writ petition (PIL) in the Supreme …

A multi-center study with 368 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in VA hospitals across US was released today underscoring the serious risks involved for “off-label” use of anti-malarial, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and/or broad-spectrum antibiotic, Azithromycin (AZM) in the treatment for COVID-19 patients. The online release of this study found no evidence of any benefit for using HCQ and …

Treatment guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFQW) have recommended “off-label” use of highly controversial and unproven combination therapy with an anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and broad-spectrum antibiotic, Azithromycin (AZM) for seriously ill ICU-bound COVID-19 patients. Serious warnings were issued last week through an urgent joint bulletin by American Heart Association (AHA), …

Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee is known all over India as the worst negligent physician against whom highest ever compensation (Rs. 11.5 crore) in Indian medical history was awarded by Supreme Court of India for causing death of Anuradha Saha, wife of PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha. While awarding the highest compensation in 2013, Apex Court also …

As US president Donald Trump on a wild run openly promoting widespread use of anti-malarial drugs, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine, to combat COVID-19 without any scientific evidence and against the advice of top researchers at Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Health (NIH), Indian government has gone a step further as Indian Council …

In view of the looming threats from the highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19) for our community, wild rumors and myths are spreading across the regular and social media many of which are absolutely without any scientific basis. Best medical information in this regard can be viewed at the website of US Center for Disease Control (WWW.CDC.GOV). …

Dr. Nirmal Maji, a powerful minister in Mamata Banerjee government and sitting president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) did not appear before the Special Court (for MLAs/MPs) in Barasat, Kolkata to face criminal charges in two separate cases as his lawyers claimed that Dr. Maji was too ill with “knee problems”. The two cases …

In a historic decision passed by the division bench president by the chief justice in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha, Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal Bar Council (WBBC) to investigate the complaint lodged by Dr. Saha and to take appropriate disciplinary action against …

Last year, Oxford University Press published a book “Healers or Predators?”, a compilation of insightful articles by prominent medical personalities and social activists. A review of this book was published this week focusing on several critical areas of Indian healthcare delivery system that must be reformed for any improvement of the falling standard of medical …

In a major development that may have far-reaching impact on the disruption of hospital services through frequent calls for “doctors’ strike” by Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other influential medical groups, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mr. S.A. Bobde in Supreme Court of India admitted a “Contempt” petition and issued notices against the …

Ashwani Diwan and his family were devastated when his 61-year old father was declared dead last December by doctors at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata after several months of hope for a recovery and a whopping more than Rs. 60 lakh hospital bill. There were numerous evidences of negligent and unethical treatment by the Apollo …

Dr. Nirmal Maji, powerful minister of the ruling Trinomul-Congress party and president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) along with Dr. Rajendra Pandey (sitting vice-chancellor of Health University in West Bangla) and Dr. Pradip Kumar Mitra, ex-Director of Health Services in West Bengal, hatched a sinister plan to perform dialysis of a pet dog putting …

The new NMC Act, 2019 was enacted into law last month with publication in the official Gazette as the old Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 was repealed by the government. The Medical Council of India (MCI) was also disbanded as most regular functions of MCI are in limbo including adjudication of appeals (under section 8.8 …

Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called nation-wide “doctors’ strike” on Wednesday (July 31, 2019) in protest of the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill even as a “Contempt” case against the IMA leaders for calling another “strike” last month is pending before the Apex Court. PBT recently filed the “Contempt” against IMA after the medical …

For the past several years, PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha, a permanent resident of USA, travels to India every year to appear and argue in consumer courts on behalf of victims of medical negligence who come to PBT to help them find medical justice. Supreme Court of India had already said categorically that non-advocates and …

Outlook (July 10, 2019)A new contempt of court petition was filed by PBT against the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Ministry of Health for the nation-wide doctors’ strike last month (see news below). Doctors went on a nation-wide strike on 17th June, 2019 to express solidarity to the Kolkata doctors who were continuing strike to …

In a brazen display of shamelessness and gross abuse of power, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the most tainted Indian physician, Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, who was found guilty for gross medical negligence causing death of Anuradha Saha by the Supreme Court of India in the highest-ever malpractice in Indian medicolegal history, and gave him …

After one week of continuous “doctors’ strike” that virtually crippled entire medical system in West Bengal and across India causing endless pain, suffering and even death of many patients, doctors have finally withdrawing the strike to resume regular hospital services on Tuesday. Following two separate PILs filed by PBT in 2006 and 2012, Supreme Court …

Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal State to file a comprehensive report within 7 days as to what steps the government is taking to end the ongoing “doctors’ strike” in Kolkata that has crippled medical services in hospitals across the state for the past 5 days. The court has also reminded the doctors …

Biplab Pal, 32-year old only son of a poor mother, Bula Pal, died in 2014 from alleged botched gall-bladder surgery at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata. After the victim’s family came to PBT seeking help, a complaint was lodged before the W.B. State Consumer Forum. Court sent numerous notices to the premier …

PBT celebrated “Patients’ Day” (Rogi Divas) on Tuesday (May 28) with an open public forum in Kolkata where victims of medical negligence came from distant places to tell their personal unfortunate stories of death and injuries from negligent treatment by doctors and their long struggle to find justice due to the inherent flaws with long …

Like previous years, People and victims of “medical negligence” all over India will observe “Patients’ Day” (Rogi Divas) on Tuesday (May 28) in demand of medical justice for all and to establish fundamental rights for every patient. “Patients’ Day” has been observed every year to commemorate death of Anuradha Saha on this day in 1998 …

According to Bloomberg news, at least 20% of candidates from all political parties running in this year’s election in India are either convicted or facing serious criminal charges including murder, rape and extortion. In a recent landmark judgment, a 5-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court of India has passed categorical direction that for any …

Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (MCDRC) has held Maruti Nursing Home, Platinum Hospital in Mulund, Mumbai and 4 doctors including Dr. Mihirgiril Goswami, Dr. Asafaque Dolare (Physician) and Dr. Satyen Mehta (Spine Surgeon) guilty for ethical violation and medical negligence causing death of 48-year old Mrs. Kamini Barkur following a botched surgery that eventually …

Last week, Calcutta High Court division bench of Chief Justice and Justice Arijit Banerjee tagged PBT’s public interest litigation (PIL) against lawyers’ strike with a pending case initiated by advocate groups against alleged police atrocity in a court in Howrah and fixed both cases for hearing on Wednesday (May 8). The entire court system in …

The entire justice delivery system in High Court and lower courts across West Bengal remains virtually closed bringing the hapless justice-seekers endless miseries as advocates continue an indefinite “cease-work” in protest of alleged attack by police in a court in Howrah more than two weeks ago. Many ongoing cases filed PBT including several public interest …

A division bench presided by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.B. Radhakrishnan has declared that Medical Council of India (MCI) and state medical councils (SMCs) must take appropriate disciplinary action if a complaint is lodged against any doctor associated with “doctors’ strike”. Supreme Court of India previously said that doctors have no right to go …

A new public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in Calcutta High Court seeking ban on publishing any picture of Mamata Banerjee, Bengal chief minister or any other minister in paid government advertisements as Supreme Court of India had previously directed that except for the President and Prime Minister, no advertisements by the government may publish …

Anyone browsing through the IMA website today will come across on their home page (www.ima-india.org) an enormous picture of the newly elected IMA president and Trinomul-congress Rajya Sabha member, Dr. Santanu Sen standing close next to a smiling ex-MCI president and biggest medical mafia in Indian medicine (as dubbed by India Today), Dr. Ketan Desai …

British Medical Journal (BMJ), one of the premier international medical journals in the world, just published an article holding PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, as “Role Model” for his long-drawn selfless fight against medical negligence and pervasive healthcare corruption in India (see article below). As BMJ has reported, the relentless battle against medical corruption in …

Calcutta High Court Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty issued show-cause notice on Friday (Jan. 18) against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) Registrar and Returning Officer, Mr. Manas Chakraborty, in response to a contempt of court petition filed by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, for disobeying court’s earlier order (see report in Statesman below). In August 2018, HC …

Dr. Nirmal Maji, president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) and a prominent political-medical leader in West Bengal who was recently promoted by Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to be the state minister of labor, surrendered on Tuesday (Jan. 8) before the Special Judge (for MLAs/MPs), Mr. Somnath Chakraborty, charged with serious criminal allegations under Indian …

Eighteenth anniversary of PBT will be celebrated at 3 PM on Sunday (December 30) at Rotary Sadan in Kolkata (next to Nehru Children’s Museum) where victims of alleged medical negligence will tell their stories of maltreatment and struggle for getting medical justice. An open discussion will be held by distinguished guests along with PBT president, …

Controversial medical leader, Dr. Nirmal Maji, a sitting MLA for the ruling TMC party and president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), was recently elevated to the post of State Minister in the Department of Labor by Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee. Over the years, Dr. Maji has been center of numerous controversies including using his …

In a shocking and unbelievable development, a large group of advocates harassed PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha and threatened him with dire consequences if he does not stop from arguing cases on behalf of victims of medical negligence. Ever since Dr. Saha personally argued and won a historic verdict and highest-ever compensation from Supreme Court …

In a major development in our battle against corruption, judge in a Special Court in Barasat for MPs/MLAs took cognizance of several serious criminal charges including “criminal breach of trust by public servant” (IPC Section 409) and “forgery” (IPC Section 463) against Dr. Nirmal Maji, influential MLA of the ruling TMC party and president of …

The CBI Court in Patiala House, New Delhi recently dropped all criminal charges against ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, after CBI lawyers submitted that “sanction” (under Section 197 CrPC) to prosecute Dr. Desai was denied by the Gujarat government. As well known across India, Desai was caught red-handed by CBI in 2010 allegedly for taking …

Medical Council of India (MCI) was dissolved last month and replaced with a selected group of 7 members Board of Governors (BOG) headed by Dr. Vinod K. Paul allegedly to stop corruption and to pave the way for the proposed National Health Commission (NMC) Bill. But nothing really has changed since BOG has taken over …

Over the short period of less than a month, two shocking incidences took place in Indian medical jurisprudence that may or may not be linked with each other but that will certainly have major implications in spread of medical education and healthcare delivery system across the nation. In the first incidence which surprisingly remained unreported …

A Judge in the “Special Court” in Barasat, West Bengal created for delivery of expedited justice for criminal complaints pending against corrupt and unscrupulous MLAs and MPs issued charge-sheet under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120b (criminal conspiracy) and Section 500/501 (criminal defamation) against Dr. Nirmal Maji, sitting West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and …

In a remarkable demonstration of delivery of medical justice, Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), highest legal tribunal to adjudicate complaints of medical and ethical violations against doctors practicing in United Kingdom (UK), has held Dr. Pantula Sastry, an Indian cancer specialist, guilty for professional misconduct and permanently canceled his practicing license in UK for causing …

West Bengal State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (WBSCDRC) in Kolkata passed a major judgment this week holding a general surgeon and local nursing home in West Midnapore, about 150 km from Kolkata, guilty for medical negligence and slapped a compensation of Rs. 20 lakh against the doctor and hospital. Banamali Samanta, a 62-year old poor …

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) at Bidhannagar Court, Kolkata admitted as a “pre-cognizance” stage, a new criminal complaint lodged by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and sitting MLA of the ruling Trinomul-Congress (TMC) party, Dr. Nirmal Maji, with serious allegations for embezzlement of public money from the state …

In a unparalleled move in the annals of medical council history in India, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has suspended medical registration of 7 medical specialists for an unprecedented 5-year period while another 50 doctors’ registrations were suspended for 1 year each – all for using fake certificates with post-graduate diplomas from the College of Physicians …

On Monday (July 23), West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) received a major blow as Calcutta High Court Justice Mr. Tapabrata Chakraborty quashed the order passed by the medical council rejecting the nomination of PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, to participate in the ongoing council election. Although Dr. Saha’s PIL in 2012 was instrumental to hold …

PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha filed a writ petition in Calcutta High Court today challenging the decision by the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) to reject Dr. Saha’s nomination paper to contest in the upcoming council election on the ground that he did not put his name in the proper “style” as “Saha Kunal” as …

While hearing PBT’s challenge to recent direction by Calcutta High Court to deposit Rs. 10 lakh as a pre-condition for hearing PIL seeking exhumation and postmortem of a 6-month old baby-girl victim of alleged medical negligence, 3-judge bench of Supreme Court presided by chief justice Mr. Dipak Mishra granted “leave” to approach the same Calcutta …

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengal Branch held a highly publicized program to celebrate “Doctors’ Day” on July 1 at their head office near Park Circus, Kolkata where many doctor, political, and even government leaders participated to discuss various problems with the healthcare delivery system. While most doctor-leaders expressed their concerns about physical assaults by …

PBT has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court interim order passed two weeks ago. The Calcutta High Court directed that PBT must put an advance deposit of Rs. 10 lakh before the court may hear a public interest litigation (PIL) in which PBT had sought court’s …

In an unprecedented and shocking blow to all registered humanitarian organizations (NGOs) that are working to help ordinary people of India find social justice through public interest litigations (PILs), Calcutta High Court (HC) passed an unprecedented order directing PBT to make a hefty advance deposit of Rs. 10 lakh even before hearing to decide whether …

In the written exam held earlier this month at the King George’s Medical University in Lucknow for doctors in the program for obtaining post-graduate degree in medicine (M.D.), a question simply asked, “Write briefly on violence against doctors: Causes, effects and solution“. A valid point may be raised whether this question at all belongs in …

In a stunning development during hearing of a PIL filed by PBT seeking court’s permission to exhume the body of 6-month old baby and perform post-mortem to help in search of justice, Calcutta High Court division bench presided by the chief justice said that they may allow the writ petition provided PBT makes an advance …

PBT sent a legal notice today to the Bidhan Nagar (North) police station demanding immediate registration of FIR to initiate criminal investigation against one Dr. Barun Chakraborty, a gynecologist and Apollo Clinic in Kolkata where Dr. Chakraborty continued treating patients even after his medical registration was suspended by the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC). Suspension …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, lodged a private complaint case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 120b (“criminal conspiracy”) and section 500/501 (“criminal defamation”) against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and a sitting MLA for the ruling TMC party, Dr. Nirmal Maji, for his verbal abusive and defamatory attack after Dr. Saha criticized the …

Patients’ Day (“Rogi Divas“) was celebrated yesterday (May 28) to spread awareness about patients’ rights and to assure medical justice for all victims of medical negligence. Victims medical malpractice from distant places gathered in Kolkata to tell their stories and show solidarity in search of justice for their loved ones who have fallen prey to …

Dr. Nirmal Maji, sitting president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) and MLA of the ruling TMC party in West Bengal, was involved in hatching an unprecedented and dangerous plan to perform dialysis of his pet dog using the machine at the SSKM Hospital, a premier tertiary-care government medical center in Kolkata where countless innocent …

In an unprecedented development against wide-spread police inaction to lodge FIR or to initiate criminal investigation of powerful private hospitals/doctors for alleged cheating, fraud or criminal conspiracy, Court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) in Salt Lake, Kolkata allowed PBT’s appeal against police inaction and directed police at the Bidhan Nagar (North) Police Station …

West Bengal Medical Council suspended practicing license of a urologist, Dr. Vinay Mahendra, for a period of two years starting last November for medical negligence. Even MCI website has been showing Dr. Mahendra’s suspended registration status in the Indian Medical Register. But all this was no problem for Dr. Mahendra as he continues to treat …

Justice Mr. Shekhar Saraf at Calcutta HC has passed a historic order today and admitted PBT’s challenge (vide W.P. No. 124/2018) against the State Information Commission for not allowing an RTI application seeking information from SSKM Hospital about medical records of top leader of the ruling Trinomul party, Mr. Madan Mitra, who avoided staying in …

Division bench of Chief Justice Mr. Jyotirmay Bhattacharyya and Justice Mr. Arijit Banerjee at Calcutta High Court issued notice today on a Contempt of court petition filed by PBT against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president, Dr. Nirmal Maji and registrar, Mr. Manas Chakraborty for their failure to comply with a previous order passed by …

Leaders of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical groups met with Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee today with a list of demands including increased security and harsher punishment for any unruly behavior or attacks on doctors on part of anybody who may lose momentary control after witnessing death of their loved one due to …

The Calcutta High Court has remained virtually non-functional for the past almost one month due to a strike called by the High Court Bar Association in demand of appointment of more judges in the vacant positions. While the point that all positions of judges in the highest court in the state should be filled to …

Supreme Court of India has passed a landmark judgment legalizing “passive euthanasia” or “living will” so that life-support may be removed from permanently unconscious or terminally ill patients who are suffering from painful incurable diseases like end stage cancer or AIDS to let me die in a quick and dignified way. The concept of “living …

West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) President and Trinoomul MLA, Dr. Nirmal Maji, surrendered today before the court of Ld. Metropolotian Magistrate, Mr. Debashis Panja, in Bankshall Court (Case No. CNS/415/17; Dr. Kunal Saha vs. Dr. Nirmal Maji & Anr.) to face criminal charges filed against him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120b (“criminal conspiracy”), …

A new contempt of court petition was filed in Calcutta High Court against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president, Dr. Nirmal Maji and Registrar for violating court’s previous order passed in response to PBT’s public interest litigation (PIL) against “doctors’ strike”. On January 5, Calcutta HC division bench presided by the acting chief justice passed …

Ld. Magistrate in Bankshall Criminal Court in Kolkata examined two witnesses and issued processes under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120b (“criminal conspiracy”), 500 (“criminal defamation”) and 501 (“printing defamatory matters”) against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and Trinomul MLA, Dr. Nirmal Maji and editor of a newspaper in Kolkata. This historic and unprecedented …

Bankshall Court in Kolkata took cognizance of a criminal case filed by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha under IPC Sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 500 and 501 (criminal defamation) against sitting president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), Dr. Nirmal Maji. This unprecedented criminal case emerged from an appeal lodged by PBT with the MCI against …

Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government established a Health Commission last year claiming that the Commission will investigate all complaints of “medical negligence” in a fair and transparent manner. But the senior most medical member selected for this Health Commission is Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, well-known for his role in causing death of Anuradha Saha from gross medical …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, traveled to India and appeared before the National Consumer Forum (NCDRC)last week to argue separate cases of “medical negligence” on behalf of 4 victims who came to PBT seeking justice after losing their loved one from alleged act of medical malpractice. In response to a PIL moved by PBT, Supreme …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, testified before Metropolitian Magistrate, Debashis Panja, yesterday in the Bankshall Criminal Court in Kolkata telling that after PBT lodged a complaint with the MCI against Dr. Nirmal Maji, Trinomul MLA and president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), for using his political influence to perform his pet dog’s dialysis at …

An unprecedented civil suit was filed last week by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, in Calcutta High Court demanding Rs. 100 crore compensation from the West Bengal government for failure to take any steps against the defamatory statements made by then Justice G.C. De who, while dismissing Anuradha Saha wrongful death case and acquitting all …

The most notorious medical man in India, Dr. Ketan Desai, was caught red-handed by CBI in April, 2010 allegedly for taking huge bribe from a private medical college in exchange of granting permission to admit MBBS students. Soon thereafter, MCI was dissolved by then Congress government under mounting public pressure and a Board of Governors …

Lawyer on behalf of PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, sent a legal notice to West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and Trinomul-Congress MLA, Dr. Nirmal Maji demanding a public apology after Dr. Maji made baseless and slanderous comments last week after MCI directed to investigate Dr. Maji and two other doctors for their role in …

Medical Council of India (MCI) passed an order directing West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) to investigate complaint lodged by PBT against Dr. Nirmal Maji (WBMC president and MLA who is known to be very close Mamata Banerjee) and two other senior government doctors, for their role in planning dialysis of their pet dog at the …

Justice Debansu Basak of Calcutta High Court has directed West Bengal Information Commission (WBIC) to dispose off PBT’s RTI application (Second Appeal seeking medical records of then transport minister, Madan Mitra) as soon as possible and within a period of 4 weeks (see news below). PBT had moved a writ petition after WBIC informed that …

PBT filed a new writ petition in Calcutta High Court yesterday against West Bengal Government and top government super-speciality SSKM hospital in Kolkata after they refused to provide any information about why Mr. Madan Mitra, then state transport minister and a close ally of Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, was transferred to a comfortable special …

In yet another shocking display of how disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, who was caught red-handed by the CBI for taking huge bribe from a private medical college (when Desai was still MCI president), is still holding a firm grip over the healthcare and medical education systems in India – it is reported by …

Indian Medical Association (MCI) and other influential doctor-lobbies are making frequent agitations against attacks on doctors or vandalism of hospitals by irate friends and family members of a victim of “medical negligence”. PBT never supports physical attacks on doctors/hospitals because two wrongs cannot make a right. But have the IMA leaders and members of the …

Dr. Ketan Desai, then president of MCI, was caught red-handed by CBI in April, 2010 for taking a bribe of multi-crore rupees from a private medical college in Punjab and he spent next almost seven months in jail before being released on bail. Soon thereafter, Desai’s medical license was suspended for indefinite period by the …

A Legal Notice was sent yesterday by PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha’s advocate to the West Bengal Government under Section 80 of Code of Civil Procedures (CPC), 1908 with a demand of Rs. 100 Crore for “defamation” and “vicarious liability” as the government failed to take any action after a judge in Calcutta High Court …

In another shocking development underscoring corruption and accumulation of black money by the hitherto “untouchable” doctors and medical specialists, Income Tax officers raided RSV Hospital, a premier private nursing home in Kolkata that specialized in in vitro fertilization (IVF) with hope for children to the infertile couples at a hefty price. The hospital owner and …

In a judgment that may have major implications for surgeries in smaller hospitals and nursing homes, Supreme Court has opined that hospitals/nursing homes without adequate intensive care unit (ICU) facility should not undertake surgical procedures in which there is reasonable chance for serious post-operative complications putting the life of the patient in danger. The Apex …

Calcutta High Court division bench of acting chief justice Nishita Mhatre and Tapobrata Chakrabarty yesterday allowed application filed by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, granting him permission to argue in person in the PIL filed by Dr. Saha challenging inclusion of disgraced Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee in the newly formed Health Commission (framed under Clinical Establishment …

Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, who was found guilty for gross medical negligence causing death of Anuradha Saha by Supreme Court in 2009 that also awarded highest ever compensation of Rs. 11.5 crore in 2013, was chosen as the “chief adviser” for Bengal health department by chief minister Mamata Banerjee against which a writ petition was filed …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, appeared before division bench of Justice Iswar Chandra Das and Tarapada Gangopadyay in West Bengal Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and argued on behalf of Mr. Prabir Dey, a poor daily laborer whose 20-year old wife Archana Dey died last year at the R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, a top …

A division bench of Hon’ble Justice Mr. B.C. Gupta and Dr. S.M. Kantikar in the National Consumer Forum (NCDRC) admitted a major complaint of “medical negligence” and issued show cause notice against a private nursing home “Extent Medical & Surgical Center” in Chandannagar near Kolkata for the wrongful death of Ms. Sanchita Khan, US-trained IT …

Scores of victims of alleged medical negligence gathered in front of RSV Hospital, a prominent city hospital in Tollygaunge, Kolkata yesterday under PBT’s banner and demanded speedy justice in all pending complaints of against doctors/hospitals. Heart-rending stories of gross medical negligence and death of near and dear ones were narrated by many victim’s friends and …

Division bench of West Bengal State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission headed by president Justice Mr. Ishwar Chandra Das issued notice against Belle Vue Clinic, a premier private hospital in Kolkata, and Dr. Niranjan Bhattacharyya for a botched surgery that nearly took the life of wife of Mr. Partha Datta, a retired income tax commissioner. As …

The West Bengal State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (WBSCDRC) admitted a case of alleged medical negligence and issued notice against Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital in Kolkata for the wrongful death of a 76-year old patient from Birbhum, a rural part of West Bengal about 170 km from Kolkata. Apart from allegations of negligent therapy, the complaint …

More than two years ago, medical field in West Bengal and across India was rattled with the news that Dr. Nirmal Maji, president of West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), orchestrated to have hemodialysis of his pet dog done at SSKM Hospital, top super-specialty tertiary care hospital for human patients in Kolkata (see below). The brazenly …

A new PIL (Writ Petition No. 17057W/2017) filed against the recently formed Health Commission (under W.B. Clinical Establishment Act, 2017) was admitted by the Calcutta High Court division bench of chief justice Ms. Nishita Mhatre and Mr. Tapabrata Chakraborty and tagged with a second PIL (W.P. No. 217/2017) that had already been pending on similar …

PBT launched a new branch in Mumbai under supervision of Mrs. Nalini Suchdeb, who is a victim herself and has been fighting a long battle for justice after her mother died from alleged medical negligence in Bombay Hospital. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Kunal Saha following his wife’s untimely death from gross medical negligence by …

PBT will launch a new branch in Mumbai to offer help and guidance to the hapless patients in the Mumbai and surrounding area. For this purpose, an open public seminar will be held at Marathi Patrakar Sangh (next to Mumbai Press Club) at Patrakar Bhavan, Mahapalika Marg, Azad Maidan Fort (next to Mumbai Press Club) …

In a rare move by the Medical Council of India (MCI), 7 Kolkata-based doctors were found guilty by the highest medical authority in India. MCI has directed the state medical council (WBMC)to take appropriate steps to suspend the negligent doctors’ medical registration for a period of 1 year. Both these victims came to PBT after …

In a major case of medical negligence with a claim of Rs. 12 crore for wrongful death of a doctor’s husband against Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata, PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha personally appeared on behalf of the victim before the circuit bench of National Consumer Forum (NCDRC) on Tuesday (June 20) and argued against …

PBT held an open public seminar on Rogi Divas (“Patients’ Day”) this week where an urgent memorandum was sent to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) president urging him to form a fast-track court for quick disposal of cases involving alleged medical negligence by doctors and hospitals (see news reports below). While acknowledging that …

PBT calls all conscientious citizens and victims of “medical negligence” across India to observe Rogi Divas (Patients’ Day) on Sunday (May 28). Patients’ Day is to spread better awareness about medical and legal rights of all patients and to establish a timely justice delivery system for all victims of alleged “medical negligence”. While MCI Code …

All members of the Medical Council of India (MCI) unanimously passed a motion during their last General Body (GB) meeting (just posted on MCI website) specifically to congratulate the disgraced Dr. Ketan Desai who is still free on bail waiting for his criminal trial on charges bribery and corruption after he was arrested by the …

Leaders of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have frequently claimed that lack of adequate infrastructure and too much workload in Indian hospitals and nursing homes are responsible for doctors committing more mistakes and medical malpractice. Top international medical journal, British Medical Journal (BMJ), has categorically undermined any such notions as BMJ in a report published …

In an unprecedented move exposing the deep-rooted corruption inside the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) that seemingly worked together to put Dr. Ketan Desai, perhaps the most notorious and corrupt doctor in Indian medical history, to the coveted post of president of World Medical Association (WMA), an unprecedented editorial published …

Disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, was caught red-handed by the CBI on 22nd April, 2010 for taking a huge bribe from a private medical college allegedly in exchange of granting MCI recognition to admit MBBS students. Seven years later, criminal trial against Dr. Desai is still delayed on one ground or another as Desai …

Lately, Indian Medical Association (IMA), largest doctors’ club and other doctors’ groups across India have started strong movements by crippling hospital services through “doctors’ strike” to protest against physical assaults on doctors and hospital services causing endless pain and suffering for countless innocent patients. The powerful medical lobbies have also exerted pressure on state and …

In a desperate attempt to suppress information about Ethics Committee investigation of complaints of medical negligence and status of investigation of complaint against disgraced Dr. Ketan Desai, Medical Council of India (MCI) moved a frivolous writ petition in Delhi High Court challenging the recent order passed by Central Information Commission (CIC) directing MCI to provide …

In another overtly uncaring move for the lives of the defenseless patients, thousands of doctors in government and private hospitals across Mumbai started strike and mass casual leave bringing the entire healthcare delivery system to its knees and causing endless misery and death of at least 57 patients, according to published report. This “doctors’ strike” …

Riding on a populist message against medical negligence and unethical practice by private doctors and hospitals, Mamata Banerjee recently rushed a new healthcare Bill through the assembly (W.B. Clinical Establishments Registration, Regulation and Transparency Act, 2017) to entrap public sympathy, she disclosed today the names of members of the supremely powerful “Commission” that, as per …

The Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2017 passed last week by Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal to rein in private hospitals and doctors has not only generated a great deal of public interest in West Bengal because the Bill has several strong provisions aimed at curbing medical negligence and unethical practice by …

A much hyped Bill (W.B. Clinical Establishment Registration, Regulations, Transparency Bill, 2017) was passed today in West Bengal assembly by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinomool government claiming that this new law would rein in unethical practice and medical negligence in the state. Ms. Banerjee has also made boisterous claims that this is a truly remarkable Bill …

In a historic judgment delivered on 2nd February, 2017, the Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the Medical Council of India (MCI) to provide all information pertaining to the case against disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, and to put up detail of the minutes of the Ethics Committee meetings on investigation of complaints or medical …

Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, took the stage yesterday with Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, the most notorious and reckless physician in India as held by the Supreme Court of India in Anuradha Saha death case, standing next to her to declare that a new “Commission” will be formed to investigate complaints of negligent and unethical treatment …

Mr. M.N. Krishnamani, renowned Sr. Advocate and four times president of the Supreme Court Bar Association has passed away from sudden cardiac failure earlier this week in Bangalore. Apart from his numerous noteworthy legal performances in the Supreme Court and High Courts over the past almost four decades, Mr. Krishnamani was given the prestigious Padmashree …

According to the information obtained from the special bench (Prevention of Corruption Act) in the CBI Patiala House Court in New Delhi for hearing of the criminal case for alleged bribery and corruption against disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, the case was adjourned today (February 6) to 23rd February, 2017 for next hearing for …

In a landmark decision that may have far-reaching consequences in our fight against medical corruption, Central Information Commission (CIC) has delivered scathing criticism of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for their deliberate attempt to suppress information related to a wide-range of healthcare issues including investigation of complaints of “medical negligence”, appointment of Inspectors for …

While the Modi government has been clamoring for more transparency to build a “clean” Bharat in order to gather public support, a quick glance to the Medical Council of India website (www.mciindia.org) would demonstrate how corruption and non-transparency are still is the name of the game in the highest government body for regulation of healthcare …

What is viewed as a truly extraordinary move by any court of law and especially the highest court of the land, Supreme Court bench of chief justice Mr. J.S. Khehar and Mr. D.Y. Chandrachud refused to admit a special leave petition (SLP) filed by PBT president Dr. Kunal Saha against the West Bengal Medical Council …

In a historic and unprecedented order passed against Dr. Alok Khan, an neurosurgeon from Kolkata accused of causing death of a patient from a botched brain surgery, division bench presided by Justice D.K. Jain, president of the National Consumer Forum (NCDRC), has directed Dr. Khan and the nursing home (owned by Dr. Khan) to pay …

A new writ petition (PIL) is filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking direction to the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Indian government to take steps for immediate removal of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, from the post of World Medical Association (WMA) president. The PIL has also sought stringent disciplinary action …

PBT is planning to organize a massive public rally in central Kolkata on Thursday (December 29, 2016) demanding expedited justice for the victims of medical negligence and cleansing of the medical councils that have been riddled with corruption. Despite frequent reports of death of innocent patients from reckless treatment and wide-spread healthcare corruption appearing in …

In a scathing rebuke to the editorial questioning the decision to promote disgraced Dr. Ketan Desai to the post of World Medical Association (WMA) president published last month in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (see original editorial below),Indian Medical Association (IMA) president-elect, Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, has not only staunchly defended Dr. Desai, he has also …

Doctors across India, under the guidance of IMA leaders who recently backed disgraced ex-MCI president Dr. Ketan Desai to the prestigious post of World Medical Association (WMA) president, have started public demonstration in protest of the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill that plans to instill new changes for accountability in the widely-known MCI corruption …

Disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, who was promoted last month to the post of World Medical Association (WMA) was produced in the CBI Court in New Delhi yesterday to face the ongoing criminal trial against him for alleged bribery and corruption (see Reuters report below). Although there was no hearing and the case was …

Home page of the website of Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest organization of doctors in India, glaringly showers endless accolades in favor of their long-time leader and disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, for being selected as the World Medical Association (WMA) president. The world medicine has erupted in strong protest after Dr. Desai, …

In a report published today by the popular online journal “The News Minute”, WMA Secretary-General, Dr. Otmar Kloiber and their spokesperson, Nigel Duncan, have claimed that according to their information, all cases against Dr. Ketan Desai have been dropped by the CBI and he has been given acquitted from all charges of corruption by the …

In a shocking development exposing the pervasive nature of medical corruption beyond India, disgraced ex-Medical Council of India (MCI) president, Dr. Ketan Desai, was selected as the new WMA president yesterday (see news below). Dr. Desai was caught red-handed for taking huge bribe from a private medical college (when he was still MCI president) in …

Rabindranath Tagore Heart Institute, a top cardiac center in Kolkata, and their senior cardiologist, Dr. J. Naik, were found guilty for causing death of a retired Wing Commander, Mr. Robin Saram Verma, following an ordinary coronary angiogram (CAG) after obtaining an invalid “informed consent” from the patient without properly explaining the associated risks involved with …

Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, a Delhi-based doctor and long-time supporter of the disgraced ex-MCI chief, Dr. Ketan Desai,has been elected to head the largest lobby for Indian doctors (IMA) for 2016-2017. Dr. Aggarwal has been an inside player and highly controversial figure in Indian medicine as he has been closely associated with tainted Dr. Ketan Desai …

PBT has filed a formal complaint today with the Supreme Court appointed MCI “Oversight Committee” headed by Retd. Apex Court Justice Mr. R.M. Lodi, demanding immediate removal and appropriate disciplinary action against several top MCI members including president Dr. Jayashreeben Mehta, Ethics Committee members Dr. Ajay Kumar, Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, Dr. Sudipto Roy and Dr. …

In a historic judgment delivered by Supreme Court Justices Mr. Dipak Mishra and Mr. U.U. Lalit that may have far-reaching effect on negligent treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across India, Apex Court has directed to implead the Medical Council of India (MCI) as well as the central and state governments …

It is reported by the media today that Modi Govt. is hatching a new and big plan to overhaul the Medical Council of India (MCI) by stripping their supreme healthcare regulatory authority (as per the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956)and to replace it with a different independent body for better efficiency and to avoid conflict …

In a scathing article published this month on different healthcare scandals across the globe, the Washington, DC-based “Center for Global Development” has reported wide-spread corruption with major government healthcare projects in India (see full report below). While the report has underscored scandals and stealing of millions of dollars from important healthcare projects by unscrupulous medical …

“Patients’ Day” (Rogi Divas) is celebrated each year on 28th May to enhance public awareness about legal rights of all patients and to bring a message of hope for justice for all victims of “medical negligence”. “Rogi Divas” was initiated to commemorate death of Anuradha Saha who died on this day in 1998 due to …

The World Medical Association (WMA) is holding their Council meeting this week at Buenos Aires, Argentina. PBT obtained information that disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, joined the WMA meeting along with several top MCI and Indian Medical Association (IMA) leaders including MCI Grievance Committee chairman, Dr. Ajay Kumar, and IMA Secretary General, Dr. K.K. …

The high-power Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare (PSCHF) issued a scathing report last month on the presence of wide-spread corruption inside the Medical Council of India (MCI) and recommended that “urgent measures” should be taken to include “non-doctor” members in the MCI to prevent the “cronyism and corruption” by the unscrupulous medical …

Hearing a review petition earlier this week, a 5-member Supreme Court bench has allowed, pending final judgment, for re-introduction of single National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) under sole control of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for admission in all graduate and post-graduate medical course in India. While PBT principally supports the idea of …

Lancet, top international medical journal published from United Kingdom, has published a scathing report this week highlighting the deep-rooted corruption and gross inefficiency in the Medical Medical Council (MCI) in view of the recent findings by a multi-party high-powered Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (see the Lancet report and related news report …

Under pressure from the recent scathing report about Medical Council of India (MCI) corruption and recommendation to revamp the MCI by a multi-party Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (PSC), prime minister’s office (PMO) has formed a 4-member panel to look into the serious issues raised in the PSC report and to take …

The historic criminal case filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120b (“criminal conspiracy”) and Section 201 (“giving false information to screen offender”)filed against almost the entire West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) including then state council president, Dr. Ashok Chowdhury, has been fixed for final hearing before the Apex Court on Monday, April 11, 2016 …

In a 126-page long investigative report presented before the Rajya Sabha this week, multi-party Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (PSCHF) has found wide-spread corruption inside the Medical Council of India (MCI) and State Medical Councils (SMCs) that has crippled the entire medical education and healthcare delivery system in India. The scathing PSCHF …

In a historic judgment delivered yesterday, the West Bengal Consumer Commission has awarded Rs. 25.5 lakh (including litigation cost of Rs. 50 thousand) to the widow of a government worker who died due to a botched brain surgery and follow up treatment by Dr. Alok Kumar Khan, senior neurosurgeon and ex-head of Neurosurgery at R.G. …

The division bench of Delhi High Court presided by chief justice, G. Rohini, adjourned the public interest litigation (PIL) brought by PBT against the deliberate and fraudulent attempt by top leaders of the IMA and Medical Council of India (MCI) to reinstate disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, to the prestigious post of World Medical …

Large number of doctors under Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have joined a strike to settle their personal scores with the government bringing endless pain and suffering for countless patients, mostly with poor socio-economic condition as they are unable to attend pricy private hospitals. Doctors have demanded for regular salary and other benefits from the …

An investigative report published this week by NDTV has found continued wide-spread corruption with inspection of medical colleges by the present MCI which is still under control of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai (see the report below). PBT has long been alleging that despite his arrest by the CBI for accepting huge bribe from …

In the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by PBT alleging that disgraced ex-MCI chief, Dr. Ketan Desai, had rigged the last MCI election held in December, 2013 to put his hand-picked cronies at the helm of the MCI, central health ministry and MCI have filed their affidavits in the Supreme Court in which both have …

Traveling across different cities in India to promote PBT, Dr. Kunal Saha, PBT president, will hold an open press presentation at the Roshanara Hall at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi at 1 pm on Wednesday (January 13, 2016). Dr. Saha’s talk entitled, “Cancer of Indian Healthcare and Medical Education System: Ketan Desai Factor”, will …

Although Delhi HC division bench headed by the Chief Justice called on Jan 6, 2016 the PIL filed by PBT (W.P. No. 9597/2015; People for Better Treatment vs. MCI &Ors.), which was listed for ORDER, the court simply adjourned the matter to 8th February, 2016 without passing any order. The principal prayer in this PIL …

In a large gathering of victims of medical negligence and ordinary people from all spectrum of life, PBT celebrated its 14th Anniversay yesterday (Dec. 30) at Rotary Sadan in Kolkata (see news below). PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, called on all honest doctors to step forward and take away the regulatory authority from the hands …

On our 14th anniversary on 30th December to be celebrated at the Rotary Sadan in Kolkata, PBT is also going to open a permanent and new head office in Kolkata. The new address for PBT is: People for Better Treatment (PBT) 79, Lenin Sarani Commercial Point (Ground Floor) Room No. G/4D1 Kolkata 700013 To celebrate …

Although many eyebrows were raised but there was no hide and sick when disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, appeared at the gala celebration of the marriage of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s daughter last week (see news below). Of course, the marriage party was also attended by other BJP leaders and top Bollywood stars. Last …

While numerous patients are falling victims to medical negligence at the hands of qualified medical practitioners everyday, countless other patients are paying a heavy toll at the hands of unregistered and untrained “quacks” across India. Quackery is a menace especially for the poor and uninformed patients in the rural areas. There is absolutely no accountability …

IMA and its top leaders have been pushing to promote corrupt ex-MCI chief, Dr. Ketan Desai,in the recent years. While Dr. Desai is still waiting for criminal trial for his alleged bribery and corruption back in 2010 (when he was caught red-handed for taking bribe from a private medical college), IMA leaders recently made a …

In an open debate before a public forum aired in NDTV today (Dec. 6), top leader of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and several private hospital as well as diagnostic center owners argued that government must impose a “cap” or limit on the maximum amount of compensation that the negligent doctor/hospital may have to pay …

The recent “deal” between the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and central health ministry that has already agreed to consider 5 specific demands made by India’s largest medical lobby (IMA) to bring new laws or amendments in the existing laws can be described only in one way that Indian doctors now want their virtual “untouchable” status …

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared victory in bringing new amendments in several long-standing and patients-protective laws including the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), Clinical Establishment Act (CEA), PCPNDT Act (for preventing female fetuses) and even the Indian Penal Code (IPC). PBT has obtained an email communication from Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, IMA General Secretary and …

On October 9, 2015, Delhi High Court division bench headed by the chief justice announced that an order will be passed on November 2, 2015 as to whether the writ petition (PIL) filed by PBT against the wrongful act by several MCI and IMA leaders to promote disgraced ex-MCI chief, Dr. Ketan Desai, as the …

While dismissing a number of writ petitions filed by several doctors whose licenses were suspended by the Medical Council of India (MCI) for deliberate misrepresentation and fraud, Division bench of Mumbai High Court has categorically held that MCI has absolute power under the provisions of “Code of Ethics & Regulations, 2002” to take disciplinary action …

In what appears to be one of the most controversial decisions to take a step backward in the fight against “medical corruption”, World Medical Association (WMA), largest international medical group has defended selection of Dr. Ketan Desai, perhaps the most notorious physician and biggest medical mafia, to become the next WMA president. This shocking news …

A “Legal Notice” was sent today to the MCI president, Dr. Jayshreeben Mehta, by the lawyer of PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, demanding that the MCI president must inform the present status of medical registration (license to practice) by disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai (see the “Legal Notice” below). Dr. Desai’s license to practice …

In an interview given to Times of India (TOI), disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, has made a shocking claim that “Racism”, “Western lobby” and “bias against non-Whites” are working to stop him from being the coveted post of the World Medical Association (WMA) president (see Dr. Desai’s interview below). Without providing a single name …

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by PBT against the sinister selection of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, to head the World Medical Association (WMA) was heard yesterday by the division bench of Delhi High Court (headed by Chief Justice) as the court reserved its order on the question of “maintainability” which was raised …

A three-judge bench of Kolkata District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum passed a historic judgment holding the Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata and two of their doctors, Dr. Asoke Sengupta (Surgeon) and Dr. Srijita Ghosh Sen (Radiologist) guilty for causing mental agony and harassment to a patient through unethical and negligent therapy. This case was fought …

In order to entice the naive and vulnerable patients, huge Billboards and newspaper advertisements by private doctors and hospitals with attractive medical packages and/or superlative claims for medical success are seen everywhere in India. In the absence of any effective regulation, Doctors and wealthy hospitals have completely transformed Indian healthcare delivery system as a highly …

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) recently reported that charges were dropped by the CBI court in Lucknow against the disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai. The BMJ article (carried by PBT) also reported that despite Dr. Desai’s several criminal indictments and a grossly tarnished background, the World Medical Association (WMA) recently decided to select Dr. …

Top international medical journal from United Kingdom, British Medical Journal (BMJ), reported the news of sudden dismissal of all charges against disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, by the magistrate at the CBI court in Lucknow earlier in the week (see the BMJ article below). The charges for “cheating” and “conspiracy” against Desai was dropped …

In what appears to be a lackluster performance by the CBI prosecutors, a special court in Lucknow allowed disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai’s application for his removal from criminal charges for “cheating” and “conspiracy” on a purely technical ground that no “sanction” (under section 197 CrPC) was obtained from the authority by the CBI …

In accordance to the order passed last week by Supreme Court of India, PBT has filed a new writ petition (PIL) in Delhi High Court today seeking investigation of the wide-spread corruption inside the Medical Council of India (MCI) and direction for removal of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, from the post of World …

After hearing arguments for the PIL filed by PBT against the deliberate and sinister promotion of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, to the prestigious post of WMA president-elect, division bench headed by the Chief Justice in Supreme Court of India (SC) granted permission to approach the High Court seeking appropriate reliefs for removal of …

Calcutta High Court (HC) division bench of Justices Mr. Girish Chandra Ghosh and Mr. Shib Sadhan Sadhu has set aside single-bench judgment and allowed an appeal filed by PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, challenging the fraudulent and wrongful selection of Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee for the prestigious Bangabibhusan award in medicine in 2014 by the Mamata …

The British Medical Journal (BMJ), one of the top international medical journal, published a report yesterday showing glaringly “unethical” practice by private hospitals in India to make huge financial profit by forcing doctors to order needless diagnostic tests and surgical procedures in order to extract money from the defenseless patients. While unethical practice by many …

New information obtained (under RTI Act) by PBT shows that over the past 4 years since the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinomul Congress (TMC) came to power, West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has found only 3 doctors guilty for medical and/or ethical violation and suspended their medical registration for a period ranging between 3 months to 1 …

PBT has filed a new public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court today seeking direction to the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Ministry of Health to take appropriate measures for immediate removal of disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai, from the prestigious post of World Medical Association (WMA) president-elect. Apart from MCI, Indian …

A historic public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court (SC) by PBT last November against Medical Council of India (MCI), Health Ministry and disgraced ex-MCI president, Dr. Ketan Desai seeking CBI investigation of the last MCI election for alleged rigging and manipulation by Dr. Desai and his cronies who are now occupying …

In a rare revelation of truth as to how victims of medical negligence are treated by the state medical councils, PBT has obtained scathing information under the RTI Act, 2005 from the Medical Council of India (MCI) documents containing the minutes of the MCI Ethics Committee minutes in which West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) and …

In a rare move involving cases against medical negligence, the Calcutta High Court imposed a cost against West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) yesterday for deliberate delay in filing response affidavit in the writ petition for cancellation of license of Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, disgraced physician who was held guilty for causing death of Anuradha Saha by …

Since July 22, 2015, a fraction of the lawyers in Calcutta High Court who are backed by the ruling Trinomool Congress Party (TMC)have been boycotting a particular division bench presided by Justice Girish Chandra Gupta causing endless pain and suffering for the innocent justice-seekers in West Bengal. Dr. Kunal Saha, founding-president of PBT, came all …

After the landmark judgment of Rs. 11.5 crore awarded because of negligent death of Anuradha Saha, Supreme Court awarded another historic compensation to the tune of Rs. 1.8 crore to another victim medical negligence (see news below). Apex Court division bench of Justices Mr. J.S. Khehar and Mr. S.A. Bobde delivered this historic judgment yesterday …

In an unprecedented display of sheer ignorance about medical science and gross abuse of political power, West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president, Dr. Nirmal Maji, who is also a member of the Medical Council of India (MCI), orchestrated a plan to perform dialysis of his pet dog in the Nephrology department of SSKM Hospital, the …

PBT president, Dr. Kunal Saha, has filed a new petition to central health minister, Mr. J.P. Nadda, demanding that disciplinary action must be taken within two weeks against three top MCI members, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Dr. Sudipto Roy and Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, as recommended last year by the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) for helping disgraced …

Disgraced ex-MCI president was caught red-handed by CBI for taking bribe from a private medical college in 2010. The criminal case against Desai is still pending in CBI court in Delhi as he remains free on bail. Despite his grossly tainted background, Indian Medical Association (IMA), largest medical lobby in India which is controlled by …

“Patients’ Day” (Rogi Divas) was celebrated today (May 28) in a packed auditorium in Kolkata to commemorate patients’ rights and to bring awareness about medical negligence. PBT president, Kunal Saha, spoke through video-conference from USA and demanded that government must take action to eradicate the wide-spread corruption that has crippled Indian’s healthcare and medical education …

Division bench presiding by Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court passed an unequivocal judgment on 5th May, 2015 declaring that WBMC must act in accordance to the order from Medical Council of India (MCI) for suspension of medical registrations of 8 negligent doctors who snatched away four precious lives in hospitals across West Bengal. After …

In view of the judgment passed by the Supreme Court of India in response to the PIL filed by our organization (PBT) in SC Writ Petition No. 316/2012 against “doctors’ strike”, Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued a circular to all State Medical Councils (SMCs) directing them to take cognizance of all matters related …

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), highest consumer court in India, passed a historic judgment granting an award of Rs. 1.1 crore (Rs. 1 crore compensation plus Rs. 10 lakh as “punitive damage”) against the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi for wrongful delivery of a child causing permanent damage in his brain in a …

PBT reported few days ago the atrocity of many negligent and unethical doctors whose license to practice medicine were suspended by the Medical Council of India (MCI) continue to practice anyway because the state medical councils (SMCs) whose duty is to act on MCI’s order to actually cancel medical registration of an errant doctor simply …

In a scathing judgment delivered yesterday, Central Information Commission (CIC), highest authority for enforcement of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, has directed Fortis Hospital in Delhi to provide the entire medical records to an advocate whose father died from alleged medical negligence (see the entire CIC judgment below). The son claimed that negligence and …

It is learned from reliable sources that Medical Council of India (MCI) is all set to reinstate disgraced ex-MCI supremo Dr. Ketan Desai as a regular member of MCI. Dr. Desai is presently free on bail facing serious criminal charges for bribery and corruption. More importantly, Dr. Desai medical registration to practice medicine or be …

Major international media groups across Europe and USA have focused in the recent time on the pervasive healthcare corruption in India. Times of India (TOI) today has carried a report entitled, “Healthcare corruption in India hits international headlines” summarizing the stories on Indian medical corruption around the globe (see TOI news below). While top international …

British Medical Journal (BMJ) has reported that according to records obtained from National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), highest government body for regulation of HIV/AIDS, almost 9,000 people have contracted HIV through contaminated blood transfusion over the past five years across India (see BMJ report below). PBT president and noted HIV/AIDS specialist, Dr. Kunal Saha was …