2 weeks ago
Calcutta High Court Orders Weeklong Probe Into Blood Bank Sales
A court in Kolkata told health officials to finish an investigation within one week.
The investigation concerns 11 private blood banks in West Bengal.
The banks are accused of collecting more blood than allowed.
They are also accused of selling blood and plasma to other states without permission.
Health officials had temporarily stopped the banks from holding donation camps.
One bank asked the court to cancel or change that action.
The judge allowed the investigation to continue.
The restrictions on collecting blood were later eased while the investigation continued.
The Calcutta High Court ordered West Bengal’s Health Department to finish its probe within a week.
Eleven private blood banks are accused of collecting excessive blood and selling blood and plasma without authorisation.
The Health Department had banned the 11 banks from holding blood donation camps across West Bengal.
One blood bank challenged the restrictions before Justice Krishna Rao, but the court did not halt the investigation.
The ban on blood collection was later lifted for practical reasons, while the probe continued and banks were given time to correct irregularities.
- Who
- The Calcutta High Court, West Bengal Health Department, and 11 private blood banks are involved; one blood bank challenged the restrictions.
- What
- The court ordered completion of a probe into alleged excessive blood collection and unauthorised sales of blood and plasma.
- Where
- The matter concerns private blood banks in West Bengal and alleged sales to other states.
- When
- The order was issued on Wednesday, with the investigation due to finish within a week.
- Why
- The probe followed complaints about blood being collected beyond permitted limits and blood and plasma being sold without authorisation.
Health Department’s Position
Blood Bank’s Challenge
Investigation and restrictions
Health Department’s Position
The Health Department said complaints and officials’ findings justified investigating 11 banks and imposing restrictions under its Blood Transfusion Council guidelines.
Blood Bank’s Challenge
One private blood bank approached the High Court challenging the Health Department’s order.
Continuation of the probe
Health Department’s Position
The department continued investigating after lifting the blood-collection ban and gave the banks time to rectify past irregularities.
Blood Bank’s Challenge
The challenging bank sought judicial intervention, but the court did not stop the ongoing investigation.
Key facts
- Court
- Calcutta High Court
- Deadline
- The Health Department must complete the probe within one week.
- Blood banks investigated
- 11 private blood banks
- Alleged conduct
- Excessive collection of blood and unauthorised sales of blood and plasma to other states.
- Earlier restriction
- The banks were barred from conducting blood donation camps anywhere in West Bengal until further orders.
- Current investigation status
- The court did not interfere with the ongoing probe.
- Later administrative decision
- The ban on blood collection was lifted for practical reasons, while the probe continued.
Sources
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