Controversy erupts over appointment of West Bengal DME

Kolkata: Controversy has erupted over the appointment of Dr. Indrajit Saha, the former principal of North Bengal Medical College, as the Directorate of Medical Education of West Bengal.

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, a doctor has alleged that Dr. Saha was associated with the North Bengal Lobby and supported "threat culture". Further, the doctor accused Dr. Saha of helping the students from the ruling party to get honours marks in the MBBS exams.

Sharing the photograph and appointment letter of Dr. Saha in the post of the State DME, Dr. Anjay Bose, who is an MBBS graduate from AIIMS, wrote, "Meet the new DME of Swasthya Bhawan, Indrajit Saha.. He is the ex-Principal of North Bengal Medical College, who helped TMCP students to fraudulently get honours marks in MBBS Prof exams. He is the man who supported 'threat culture' of North Bengal lobby. Now he is the DME.."

In response to the post, a doctor named Dr. Hardik Dave, an intensivist and medical doctor, questioned why Dr. Saha was allowed in such a position. Slamming the Bengal Chief Minister, the doctor further mentioned in the X post, "Why is he allowed to such position?? #TMC goons have owned #West_Bengal @MamataOfficial shame on you.. your name will go in history as one of the worst politicians ever, who allowed wild lies and propaganda of #Muslims with their wild activities."

"He is given such position so that corruption can be continued from the top level.," Dr. Anjay Bose mentioned in another post.

Also Read: West Bengal: Paediatrician Dr Kaustav Nayek takes charge as new DME

West Bengal Health Department appointed Dr. Indrajit Saha as a full-time Director of Medical Education after nearly eight months. Before him, Aniruddha Neogi, OSD and special secretary, was officiating as the DME after the Government transferred former DME Kaustav Nayek last year in September, fulfilling the demands of the junior doctors during the RG Kar protests.

"The Governor is pleased to appoint Prof. (Dr.) Indrajit Saha of the West Bengal Medical Education Service, now employed as Principal, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, as Director of Medical Education, Government of West Bengal, with immediate effect and until further orders," read the Health Department's notification dated May 8, 2025.

Sources told the Times of India that Dr. Saha is the most senior in terms of administrative experience among all the applicants for the post. While around 13 applied (including two principals of the medical colleges in Kolkata) for the post, the panel decided to appoint Dr. Saha due to his seniority, sources had earlier told TOI.

However, the Daily had reported that the appointment procedure took an unusually long time, and sources said that the delay happened to avoid unnecessary controversy from any quarter.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported on the allegations brought against Dr. Indrajit Saha. In October last year, when the entire state was boiling over the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, NBMCH also came into the limelight after 16 departmental heads (HODs) there accused the principal of Dr. NBMCH, Indrajit Saha, of corruption.

These 16 HODs then forwarded a letter to the state director of medical education requesting the latter to take immediate action against Saha. As per the letter, following deputations submitted by the students and junior doctors of NBMCH last month on the irregularities there, an enquiry committee was constituted. Following the unanimous decisions taken by the college council a battery of stern administrative interventions came out in phases, including the suspension of a few students, and junior doctors along with the removal of the dean and assistant dean and lodging of an FIR against the accused.

However, the letter added, that although several allegations were raised against the principal, no action was initiated against him.

Also Read: HC Stays Suspension Of 7 Medical Students Accused Of Threat Culture