KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL – The West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has found a prominent city-based surgeon, Dr. Sarfaraz Jajil Baig , prima facie guilty of medical negligence following the death of a 42-year-old patient. The council has officially communicated to the doctor that he has been found guilty of “infamous conduct in a profession” and has directed him to submit a formal response to the charges within three weeks.
Case Background and Allegations:
The case stems from an incident in February 2024, involving a resident of Camac Street, Aman Chopra, who was admitted to a private clinic with acute abdominal pain.
- Delayed Intervention: While medical tests confirmed appendicitis shortly after admission on February 2, the family alleges the surgery was delayed by two days despite the patient’s deteriorating condition.
- Surgical Complications: Although described as a “minor” procedure by the doctor, the surgery lasted two and a half hours. Following the operation, the patient suffered severe internal bleeding—losing nearly two litres of blood—and was placed on ventilator support in the ICU.
- Fatal Outcome: A second surgery was performed in Kolkata to address the complications. With no signs of improvement, the family airlifted the patient to a hospital in Hyderabad, where specialists discovered an intestinal puncture they attributed to the initial surgery in Kolkata. The patient eventually succumbed to these injuries.
The Council’s Stance and Next Steps:
In its notice, the WBMC noted that the evidence gathered so far suggests a failure in the standard of care expected. Dr. Baig , however, stated to the media on April 3, 2026, that he is yet to receive the official copy of the council’s order to review the specific findings.
This disciplinary move by the council highlights the growing scrutiny on surgical delays and procedural errors in private healthcare facilities across the state. If the final inquiry confirms the charges, the surgeon could face a suspension of his medical registration.
