Kolkata's R. Ahmed Dental College principal removed over retirement age violation

The West Bengal Health Department has officially removed Dr. Tapankumar Giri from his position as the Principal of R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital on Wednesday. The move follows reports that Dr. Giri continued to hold the top post despite surpassing the mandatory retirement age of sixty-five in April 2026.

Critics and dental commission members had raised concerns that his continued tenure ignored statutory regulations, prompting the new state government to issue an immediate circular for his removal. The dismissal comes alongside serious allegations of nepotism involving Dr. Giri's daughter, Dr. Devanti Giri. Reports suggest that during the previous administration, influence was used to secure favorable postings for Dr. Devanti at the same institution where her father served as Principal.

Further allegations from the medical community claim that postgraduate students were often pressured to select specific research topics so that Dr. Devanti could be credited as a co-guide, despite her primary affiliation sometimes being with other nearby medical colleges like Nilratan Sarkar (NRS). The administrative order has also facilitated a new appointment to ensure stability at India's oldest dental college. A senior doctor from Burdwan Medical College has been transferred to R. Ahmed Dental College to take over the principal's responsibilities with immediate effect.