Kolkata: A fresh allegation of medical negligence has surfaced at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after a patient died under circumstances his family claims point to alarming lapses in basic infrastructure and patient handling. 

The incident marks the second such death at the state-run facility within three days, intensifying scrutiny on its functioning.

The deceased has been identified as Biswajit Samanta, who was brought to the hospital’s trauma care unit early Monday morning after complaining of severe chest pain.

According to hospital sources, treatment began shortly after his arrival. However, what followed has triggered outrage and serious allegations from his family.

Family members claim that during his time in the trauma unit, Samanta urgently needed to use a toilet. They allege that hospital staff informed them that there was no toilet facility available on that floor and directed them instead to a “pay and use” public toilet located nearly 100 metres away, outside the trauma care building.

The situation reportedly worsened due to the lack of basic assistance. The family said they repeatedly requested a stretcher to transport Samanta, given his critical condition, but none was provided. With no support available, Samanta allegedly attempted to walk the distance on his own.

Eyewitness accounts and family statements suggest that he managed to cover around 50 metres and even attempted to climb towards the second floor before collapsing. He lost consciousness midway, unable to continue further.

His wife has alleged that despite being in visible distress and critical condition, he was effectively forced to walk due to the absence of a stretcher or any immediate assistance. She questioned how a major government hospital could lack such basic facilities and fail to respond to a patient in need.

According to the family, Samanta collapsed while returning from the toilet and did not receive timely medical attention. He was eventually taken to the emergency department, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The incident sparked immediate protests from relatives and attendants at the hospital premises, with many accusing the administration of systemic failures in infrastructure, emergency response, and patient care. Angry family members demanded accountability, alleging that the death could have been prevented had basic facilities and support been available.

Hospital authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement addressing the allegations, further fuelling public anger.

This latest death comes just days after another controversial fatality at the same hospital. On March 20, a man identified as Arup Banerjee reportedly died following an elevator malfunction within the trauma care building.

Also read: ‘Polytrauma, crushed organs’: 5 arrested in RG Kar lift horror; Homicide probe begins 

Banerjee had come to the hospital with his four-year-old son for treatment when he allegedly got trapped inside a lift that suddenly stopped functioning. His family claimed that no lift operator was present at the time of the incident.

A senior hospital official later stated that Bannerjee was rescued with injuries, including bleeding from the nose, and was shifted to the emergency unit, where he subsequently died.

In connection with that case, Kolkata Police arrested five individuals allegedly linked to the maintenance of the elevator system. While their identities have not been disclosed, officials confirmed that they were responsible for the upkeep of the lift where the incident occurred.

With two deaths in quick succession under troubling circumstances, pressure is mounting on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the hospital’s infrastructure, accountability mechanisms, and overall patient care standards.