West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an immediate investigation into a shocking incident where a deceased accident victim's eye was allegedly removed while the body was kept in the morgue of Barasat Medical College and Hospital.
Convoy Blocked by Grieving Family
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's convoy was dramatically stopped on Tuesday evening by agitated family members of 36-year-old Pritam Ghosh, who died following a road accident. The incident occurred on Jessore Road in Barasat as the Chief Minister was returning from a political rally in Bongaon.
Family members and local residents blocked the road to draw attention to their horrifying discovery. "When we went to see the body, we saw one of the eyes was missing. It was like someone had gouged it out," revealed Sumita Kundu, one of the victim's relatives, speaking to media persons.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
Pritam Ghosh, a resident of Barasat Railway Gate Number 1, met with an accident on Monday and subsequently succumbed to his injuries at Barasat Medical College and Hospital. His body was sent for post-mortem examination as per standard procedure.
The shocking revelation came when family members went to collect the body on Tuesday. "How could the eye go missing? They are saying that rats might have done this. But we don't believe them," stated Alamgir Mondol, Ghosh's neighbor, expressing the family's skepticism about hospital explanations.
Chief Minister's Immediate Response
Following the blockade of her convoy, Mamata Banerjee personally intervened and called the family members for discussions. She assured them of immediate action and comprehensive support.
"I have heard you and I have ordered an investigation immediately. We will take strong action if anyone is found guilty," Banerjee declared. "The hospital will also probe the matter and set up an inquiry committee."
The Chief Minister announced substantial compensation for the family and promised employment. "We will give you proper compensation too. We will also give a job to the next of kin of the victim. I will give the job from my CM's quota," she assured.
The employment package includes a Group D position that will become permanent after one year of service. Banerjee directed ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar to maintain contact with the family and facilitate the necessary procedures, including collecting resumes from eligible family members.
Hospital Administration Reacts
Dr. Abhijit Saha, Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice Principal of Barasat Medical College and Hospital, confirmed that the institution would conduct a thorough investigation. "The victim's family members had come to us with the issue and we had told them to submit a written complaint after which we will form an inquiry committee," he stated.
Following the Chief Minister's intervention, Dr. Saha confirmed that the hospital would expedite the inquiry process as directed. The incident has raised serious questions about security and protocols within hospital morgue facilities.
Friends of the deceased expressed their outrage at the situation. Jhontu Ali, Ghosh's friend, questioned the hospital's explanation: "He had suffered a head injury in the accident. How can one of the eyes be missing? It looked like his eye had been gouged out."
The case has sparked widespread concern about medical facility security and the treatment of deceased individuals in government hospitals across West Bengal.
