Kolkata, 19 August (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the state Health Department to complete within a week its investigation into alleged irregularities at blood donation camps and the purported illegal sale of blood in violation of rules governing blood banks.

Hearing the matter, Justice Krishna Rao said the Health Department could continue with its ongoing investigation but made it clear that the probe must be completed within the stipulated time frame.

The Health Department had recently directed 11 private blood banks to stop collecting blood through donation camps in different areas. Based on its investigation, the department had also cancelled the licence of one blood bank. However, the Health Department later withdrew all the actions taken in the matter.

Following the directive restricting blood donation camps, officials of one of the blood banks approached the High Court. While hearing the case, the court declined to interfere with the Health Department's investigation at this stage. However, it did not permit the probe to continue indefinitely.

Justice Rao specifically directed that the investigation into the allegations of irregularities must be completed within one week.

According to Health Department sources, the 11 blood banks were allegedly involved in collecting substantially more blood than the prescribed targets, failing to follow mandatory norms during blood donation camps and allegedly conducting unauthorised commercial transactions by selling red blood cells and plasma to other states.

Following the complaints, Health Department officials conducted inspections and investigations at several locations. The inspections reportedly revealed several irregularities, following which the department initiated the probe.

Following the High Court's direction, the Health Department will now have to complete the investigation within a week and decide on further action. The next legal course in the matter will depend on the findings and conclusions of the department's probe.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh