IMA Bengal demands resignation of Medical Council Chief after HC relief for Shantanu Sen

The Calcutta High Court has temporarily revoked the two-year suspension of Trinamool Congress leader and doctor Shantanu Sen’s medical registration. The West Bengal Medical Council had earlier cancelled Sen’s registration citing disciplinary grounds. The court noted procedural irregularities in the process, leading to an interim relief in Sen’s favour. The matter remains under legal review.

Following the order, the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) West Bengal branch accused the State Medical Council of acting unethically. Shantanu Sen currently serves as the State Secretary of IMA’s Bengal unit. On Wednesday, the IMA Bengal branch formally demanded the resignation of State Medical Council President Dr. Sudipta Roy. The association stated that the High Court's decision proved that the council acted in violation of procedural norms.

Simultaneously, a dispute is ongoing over the IMA Bengal elections held in November 2024. The election results were declared in December, with Shantanu Sen's lobby winning and forming the new panel. Sen was re-elected as State Secretary. However, allegations of irregularities during the polls were submitted to the election tribunal at IMA headquarters in Delhi. In May 2025, the tribunal directed that the 2024 election results should not be implemented.

The IMA Bengal Election Commission, which conducted the elections, challenged the tribunal’s order in the Alipore District Court. According to advocate Tamali Samanta, the court had earlier stayed the IMA headquarters' June 13 directive until July 9. On Wednesday, July 10, the court extended the stay on the order until August 13, allowing the current state panel to continue functioning.

The IMA Bengal branch and the elected panel led by Shantanu Sen have termed the court's stay as a legal backing to their position. On the same day, they reiterated their opposition to the West Bengal Medical Council’s decision to suspend Sen’s registration and renewed their demand for the resignation of its president.