RG Kar Posting Row: Junior doctor says No Order despite Supreme Court directive

Medical Dialogues in September reported that the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government health department to retain junior doctor Aniket Mahato's posting at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which he had chosen during counselling. He had challenged the government notification in the court, saying his transfer was a punitive measure by the government for taking part in the agitation.

Also read- HC upholds Junior doctor's posting at RG Kar Medical College Hospital

In December, the Supreme Court directed the state government to post Mahato as a senior resident in anaesthesiology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital within two weeks. The order came after the court dismissed the state’s appeal against earlier orders of a Calcutta High Court single-judge bench and division bench, which had asked the government to post him at RG Kar instead of Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital.

The issue again became controversial after the state health department claimed that it had issued an order confirming his posting at RG Kar on December 31. However, Mahato denied receiving any such order from the state government.

The notification, signed by a deputy secretary, stated that Mahato was posted for one year and was required to join within seven days of the notification. A senior health department official said, “We have communicated the order about his posting to the hospital authorities and also to his lawyers. We have complied with the court’s directions.”

Refuting the claims, he told The Telegraph, "I have not received any such email. I have not received any letter at my home address in Jhargram. I could not see any notification on the health department’s website either. I have also not received any communication from RG Kar Medical College authorities."

On Friday, Mahato announced that he would no longer continue as a senior resident under the state government. He said the state’s failure to post him at RG Kar despite court orders was the reason for his decision. 

Earlier, on Thursday, he resigned from the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, where he was president of the board of trustees. Mahato told reporters Friday that differences of opinion between him and other trustees over the formation of a 37-member WBJDF executive committee had led to his decision. 

Medical students who complete postgraduate studies from state-run medical colleges in Bengal are required to serve three years in government hospitals. Those who do not serve must pay Rs 10 lakh per year in penalties as per the bond policy. As a result, Mahato will have to pay Rs 30 lakh to the government for opting out.

At a press conference on Friday, he said he comes from a middle-class family and does not have the means to pay such a large amount. He therefore appealed to the public to crowdfund for him so that he could continue his career elsewhere.

"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," he said.

Also read- RG Kar protest leader Dr Aniket Mahato resigns from WBJDF