West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday levelled serious allegations against the medical camps run under the 'Sebashray' initiative associated with Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, claiming that multiple complaints of medical negligence and procedural violations had emerged. He said the state government would conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action if the allegations were found to be substantiated.
Addressing the West Bengal Assembly, Adhikari said, "A major scam has come to light. It concerns the Sebashray camps run by the nephew (Abhishek Banerjee)." He alleged that several complaints had been registered at Bishnupur Police Station and claimed that some patients suffered severe complications after receiving treatment at the camps.
The Chief Minister displayed photographs in the Assembly that he said showed patients who had allegedly suffered injuries following treatment at the camps. "See how this cheating nephew has harmed people. One child lost a hand, another has been left disabled, and a woman lost her leg," he said while presenting the images.
Adhikari further alleged that ultrasound and X-ray machines, government hospital doctors, and medical college students had been taken outside authorised medical facilities to participate in the camps. "This is a case equivalent to culpable homicide. Nobody will be able to save the cheating nephew. All the machines have been seized," he said.
He also claimed that expired medicines were distributed at some of the camps and read out portions of a letter purportedly written by a doctor highlighting alleged irregularities in the operation of the health camps.
According to the Chief Minister, the investigation is being carried out jointly by the CID, the Special Task Force (STF), South 24 Parganas Police, and medical experts. He said every complaint received from alleged victims was being treated as an FIR. "Every complaint from those who have suffered due to these camps is being treated as an FIR, and strict legal action will follow," Adhikari told the Assembly.
The issue was raised in the Assembly on Friday by BJP MLA Debanshu Panda, who alleged that Sebashray camps had violated medical norms and that public land had been occupied for setting up camp infrastructure. Panda sought a statement from the Chief Minister on the matter, following which Adhikari addressed the House on Saturday.
The Sebashray initiative was launched by Abhishek Banerjee during the previous Trinamool Congress government to provide free medical treatment, particularly in Diamond Harbour and surrounding areas. The camps had attracted large numbers of patients from across West Bengal and neighbouring states.
The allegations against the initiative include claims of unauthorised use of medical equipment, treatment without necessary approvals, use of expired medicines, and deployment of interns and healthcare workers without proper authorisation. Complaints have also alleged that some interns were promised certificates for participation but did not receive them.
