Health dept demands report over RG Kar lift incident that killed Arup Banerjee

The West Bengal health department has sought a detailed report on the fatal elevator accident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata that claimed the life of 40-year-old Arup Banerjee. The incident, which occurred in the hospital’s Trauma Care Center, has raised serious concerns over safety and maintenance protocols within the facility.

According to preliminary information, Banerjee had entered the elevator early in the morning along with his wife and young son while heading to the fifth floor to visit his ailing child admitted to the hospital. The lift reportedly malfunctioned during the journey and later dropped to the basement level after a sudden jolt.

Although Banerjee’s wife and younger son were rescued unharmed after the elevator doors were opened, Banerjee died in the incident. The accident triggered protests from a section of patients’ relatives within the hospital premises, demanding accountability for the mishap. Following the incident, the health department asked the hospital authorities to submit a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances surrounding the malfunction, the condition of the lift, and the safety measures in place. Meanwhile, police have also begun an investigation into the case as officials examine whether negligence or mechanical failure led to the tragedy.