The West Bengal Medical Council, the umbrella body of the doctors in the State on Thursday removed the name of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh --- who is presently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the rape- murder case of a woman doctor at the hospital --- from the list of registered medical practitioners. The practicing license of Ghosh was cancelled after he failed to respond to a show cause notice issued to him by the Council on September 7, sources said adding the step was taken under various provisions of the Bengal Medical Act 1914.

Ghosh has been arrested by the on charges of corruption and destruction of evidence in the rape and murder case. The Enforcement Directorate too has lodged cases against him under Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The development amid a new twist in the junior doctors’ movement vis a vis the RGKMCH case

after the tent house owners who had provided them with facilities like tents, bio-toilets, fans power connections at their sit-in site in front of the Swasthya Bhavan on Thursday withdrew their services amid allegations that they were asked to do so by the State police.

“They came and forcibly took away the tents, bio-toilets, fans, camp cots and other things that were being used at the demonstration site,” said Dr. Ankush one of the agitators alleging,

“though they would not say anything in public we were told that they had pressure from the police and the Government to do so.

Though a major portion of the doctors’ demands had been accepted by the Government during a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee they had still been insisting on the fulfillment of the “fourth and fifth demand that entails the removal of State Health Secretary NS Nigam and ensuring of safety and security inside the medical colleges and hospitals where some vested interests with high political connection perpetrate a syndicate raj and threat culture extorting lakhs of rupees from the students after failing them in exams … or selling honours courses for

cash,” the doctors said.

“We had even told the State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant in our Wednesday’s meetings to ensure these things at the earliest so that we can return to work … but instead of taking any measure they are now arm-twisting us to withdraw the movement,” the doctors said adding they were holding a general body meeting to decide on their new course of action.

Meanwhile, in new development the senior doctors on Thursday gheraoed the West Bengal Medical Council “with a mission to cleanse it.” Scores of senior doctors held a demonstration