RG Kar Hospital row: No trained staff on site, ‘sign-and-leave’ culture blamed for man’s death

A shocking investigation into the fatal lift accident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has uncovered serious negligence, raising disturbing questions about staff accountability and hospital management. The victim, Arup Bandyopadhyay (40), was trapped inside a malfunctioning lift at the trauma care centre, where he struggled for help as the system failed to respond in time.

Investigations revealed that the chief liftman, responsible for monitoring and handling such emergencies, had marked his attendance in the duty register and then left the premises. This absence proved critical when the lift reportedly began moving erratically before crashing into the basement, leaving the victim trapped without any immediate technical assistance.

According to findings, no trained personnel were present at the site during the emergency. Security staff were unable to intervene due to lack of access and technical knowledge, while the victim’s cries went unanswered. The absence of the lift operator meant that manual controls could not be activated to stabilise the situation or initiate a rescue.

Further interrogation of arrested individuals has indicated that such “sign-and-leave” practices were not isolated incidents. Employees allegedly engaged in mutual attendance marking or remained absent after signing in, pointing to a systemic failure within the institution. Investigators are now examining whether senior officials were aware of these practices and failed to act.

The postmortem report confirmed severe injuries and crushed bones, highlighting the extent of suffering endured by the victim. The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with serious concerns being raised over negligence, lack of supervision, and operational lapses within the hospital system.