Calcutta HC Earlier Quashed Suspension Over Use of ‘FRCP’ on Letterhead
Kolkata:
In a significant reversal, the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has reinstated the medical registration of Dr. Santanu Sen, former Rajya Sabha MP and senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, just days after it was cancelled over allegations related to the misrepresentation of foreign medical credentials.
The action follows the Calcutta High Court’s recent order quashing the WBMC’s earlier decision to suspend Dr. Sen’s registration for two years, terming the move legally untenable.
Controversy Over Use of ‘FRCP’ Fellowship Title
The disciplinary action was initiated after Dr. Sen, who is also a former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), was found listing “Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)” on his official letterhead. WBMC argued this misled patients into believing it was an academic degree rather than a professional fellowship.
“FRCP is just a fellowship, not a recognized medical degree. Writing it alongside MBBS and post-grad credentials could mislead patients,” the Council had noted in its earlier order, calling the act an “infamous conduct.”
Due Process and Legal Battle
In response to a show-cause notice issued earlier this year, Dr. Sen appeared before the Penal and Ethics Committee of WBMC on May 21. During the hearing, it was clarified that FRCP does not hold academic equivalence and should not be advertised as such on medical prescriptions or formal communication.
Following the Council’s suspension order, Dr. Sen moved the Calcutta High Court, which quashed the decision, citing procedural lapses and insufficient legal grounds for such a penalty. The court emphasized the need for proportionate disciplinary measures, especially when no harm or malpractice had been proven.
Dr Sen Reacts: Calls Action ‘Vindictive’
After his reinstatement, Dr. Sen expressed relief, stating that the Council’s earlier move was “vindictive” and targeted.
“I hope the WBMC will now think twice before taking such a vindictive step against my doctor colleagues,” he said in a statement to the Times of India.
What’s Next for WBMC and Medical Titles?
The case has sparked wider debate within the medical community about how fellowships and honorary titles are presented to patients, especially in the absence of standardized guidelines for non-degree qualifications.
Observers believe the incident may push regulatory bodies like WBMC and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to issue clear directives on the usage of fellowships, honorary designations, and foreign affiliations in public medical communication.
