Kolkata: Junior Doctor Aniket Mahato’s Posting Controversy
Supreme Court Directives Ignored
The Supreme Court recently instructed the West Bengal government to ensure junior doctor Aniket Mahato’s posting at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital within a two-week timeframe. However, Mahato has reported that he has yet to receive any official posting order or email confirmation regarding his placement, despite the health department’s claims of compliance with the court’s directive.
Background of the Case
Dr. Aniket Mahato has gained prominence for leading efforts against corruption at RG Kar Medical College, particularly in the wake of the tragic incident involving a postgraduate student who was allegedly raped and murdered on campus on August 9, 2024. His activism has brought significant attention to issues within the institution.
Calcutta High Court’s Intervention
In September, the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal health department to retain Mahato’s chosen position at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He had previously challenged a government notification that transferred him, claiming it was a punitive measure for his involvement in protests.
Supreme Court’s Final Ruling
In December, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the necessity of Mahato’s posting as a senior resident in anaesthesiology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital within two weeks. This ruling followed the dismissal of the state’s appeal against earlier orders from both a single-judge bench and a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had mandated his placement at RG Kar instead of Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital.
Discrepancies in Communication
The situation became contentious when the state health department announced that it had issued a notification confirming Mahato’s posting at RG Kar on December 31. Despite this, Mahato has publicly refuted the department’s claims, stating he has not received any official communication or notification confirming his posting.
Health Department’s Response
A senior official from the health department asserted that they had communicated the posting order to both the hospital authorities and Mahato’s legal representatives, stating that they were in compliance with the court’s orders.
Mahato’s Resignation
On Friday, Mahato declared that he would no longer serve as a senior resident under the state government, citing the government’s failure to post him at RG Kar despite court orders as the driving force behind his decision. He had previously resigned from his position as president of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front due to differing opinions regarding the formation of a new executive committee.
Financial Implications of His Decision
Medical graduates from state-run medical colleges in Bengal are mandated to serve three years in government hospitals; failure to comply incurs a penalty of Rs 10 lakh per year. Consequently, Mahato faces a total penalty of Rs 30 lakh for opting out of service. Expressing his concerns during a press conference, he mentioned his middle-class background and the financial burden this amount represents. He has appealed to the public for crowdfunding assistance to cover this penalty, stating, “I come from a lower-middle-class family and do not have the means to pay ₹30 lakh. I am appealing to everyone to help me pay the government this money.”