Several fourth-year medical students from top Kolkata colleges have been summoned by the West Bengal health department following the discovery of a multi-crore blood smuggling racket.

  • Students from National Medical College and NRS Medical College are under investigation.
  • Accused students allegedly posed as doctors to facilitate illegal blood donation camps.
  • Three laboratory technicians were arrested in Panskura by the ACB.
  • The scam involves selling free blood collected through fraudulent means for high profits.

In a major crackdown on a medical malpractice syndicate, the Swastha Bhawan (West Bengal State Health Department Headquarters) has summoned several students from at least two prominent medical colleges in Kolkata. The investigation pertains to a widespread blood smuggling scam that has sent shockwaves through the state's healthcare sector.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, fourth-year medical students from the National Medical College and Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College appeared before a departmental committee. Investigations suggest that these students were playing a pivotal role in the racket by disguising themselves as doctors to manage fraudulent blood donation camps.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this scam undermines the very foundation of the National Blood Policy. By turning a life-saving resource into a high-profit commodity, the perpetrators have not only violated the law but have also endangered the integrity of the medical profession and public trust in blood banks.

State Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee stated, "Officials are investigating irregularities and document mismatches; as the case is sub-judice, we cannot comment extensively at this time."

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has already intensified its operations, arresting three laboratory technicians in Panskura, Purba Medinipur district. The operation follows the earlier arrest of a middleman who exploited local clubs by purchasing blood donor cards for as little as ₹100-₹150, only to resell the subsequently collected blood to desperate patient families for ₹1,500-₹2,000 per unit.

Historical Background: The National Blood Policy, introduced in 2002, strictly prohibits the sale of blood. The policy was designed to ensure that blood donation remains a voluntary, non-remunerative process to maintain the highest safety standards and prevent the exploitation of donors.

Authorities are now widening their scope, suspecting that this is a multi-state organized crime syndicate worth crores of rupees. Units of blood and plasma have reportedly been smuggled out of West Bengal to other states, prompting raids on several reputed organizations and blood banks across the region.

Did You Know?: The National Blood Policy was created to eliminate the commercialization of human blood to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How did the students participate in the scam?
Answer: They allegedly posed as doctors at donation camps to facilitate the collection of blood for illegal sale.

Question 2: Is this a local issue or a larger syndicate?
Answer: Investigators suspect it is a multi-state scam involving the movement of blood and plasma across state borders.