WB blood smuggling scam: Medical students summoned, 4 from 2 medical colleges questioned

New Delhi: In connection with a blood smuggling scam, the West Bengal Swasthya Bhavan has reportedly summoned several medical students for questioning.

Meanwhile, the 4th-year students from the National Medical College and Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College appeared before a committee of the state health department on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as part of the ongoing probe into the alleged blood-selling racket.

Also read- Calcutta HC sets one-week deadline for probe into blood, plasma movement irregularities

The Hindu reported that the students were questioned over their alleged links to the racket after it was found that these medical students were allegedly presented as doctors at medical and blood donation camps, where they helped facilitate the collection and sale of blood.

It has also been alleged that senior medical students had arrangements with private blood banks to run this racket and received monetary commissions for their role in the racket.

West Bengal Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee told the daily, "Our officials are still investigating the irregularities. In many places, there is a mismatch of documents. There is a case in court, so we will not comment more on this at the moment."

Medical Dialogues had reported that the Calcutta High Court gave the West Bengal Health Department one week to complete its inquiry into alleged irregularities in the movement of blood and plasma to other states and submit its findings to the court.

Swasthya Bhavan has barred 11 blood banks across the state from organising blood donation camps until further orders. The restriction, which came into effect from August 1, will remain in place until the completion of the investigation into allegations of the illegal sale and transfer of blood collected in West Bengal.

The blood banks facing the restrictions are Ashok Laboratory Blood Centre in Jodhpur Park, Kothari Medical Blood Centre in Alipore, Health Point Hospital Blood Centre in Padmapukur, Life Care Blood Centre in Entally, Om Blood Centre in Beleghata, Ispat Cooperative Hospital Blood Centre in Sonarpur, HMC Rotary Blood Centre in Howrah, Institute of Medical Sciences Blood Centre in Krishnanagar, Upasham Om Blood Centre in Raiganj, Teresa Om Blood Centre in East Burdwan and Raniganj Institute of Medical Sciences Blood Centre.

Also read- 11 blood banks in West Bengal barred from organising camps amid probe