Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) –The West Bengal Medical Council has issued a show-cause notice to Trinamool Congress MP and senior physician Dr. Shantanu Sen for allegedly misrepresenting a medical qualification on his professional letterhead. The council has raised objections to his use of the title “FRCP (Glasgow)” without clarifying that it refers to a “Diploma of Fellowship” and is not a recognized medical degree under Indian regulations.
The notice, which surfaced on Friday night, cites Section 26 of the Indian Medical Council Act, which mandates registration of all medical degrees with the council. According to the council, while Dr. Sen has included FRCP (Glasgow) on his letterhead, he failed to specify that it is a fellowship and not a registered medical qualification. The certificate presented by Dr. Sen reportedly bears the title “Diploma of Fellowship FRCP (Glasgow),” but his letterhead omits the phrase “Diploma of Fellowship,” which the council believes may mislead patients and the general public.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the council’s Panel Ethics Committee has asked Dr. Sen to provide a written explanation within 21 days. He has also been given the option to appear in person to present his case. Failure to respond within the stipulated time may prompt the council to take unilateral action.
Responding to the development, Dr. Sen has strongly denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the council’s notice as the result of “personal vendetta and hostility.” Speaking on Saturday morning, he said, “I have done nothing wrong. This action against me is completely unethical. I have already provided a written clarification to the Panel Ethics Committee and will submit another letter to further explain my position. I will prove within the 21-day window that this is nothing but a case of personal grudge.”
It is worth noting that Dr. Sen has reportedly been sidelined within the party after he publicly criticized the state government’s handling of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
