Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has granted protection from coercive police action to suspended junior doctor Pallabi Bandopadhyay in connection with the expired saline case, where a woman and a newborn died earlier this month.
Background of the Case
The West Bengal government had suspended 12 doctors after reports emerged that the deaths resulted from administering expired Ringer’s Lactate supplied by blacklisted pharmaceutical company Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Private Limited. The move sparked criticism from various quarters.
Investigations and Legal Action
- The government launched two parallel investigations:
- A probe by the State Health Department
- A CID investigation by West Bengal Police
- On January 22, Bandopadhyay moved the High Court, accusing CID officials of conducting excessive searches within the hospital under the pretext of investigation.
High Court’s Ruling
On Tuesday, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed the CID not to take any coercive action, including arrest, against Bandopadhyay. However, the court instructed her to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.