Allegations of brokerage surface at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital

MP,, May 20, 2026, Siliguri: Allegations of an organised brokerage racket in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) have surfaced after a patient’s family claimed they were forced to pay a large sum of money in the name of purchasing surgical material. 

According to reports, 57-year-old Renuka Nayek, a resident of Naxalbari, was admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital on May 16 after suffering a leg fracture. 

Family members alleged that her surgery was scheduled for May 17. The patient’s relatives claimed that some staff members in the emergency ward contacted an individual, saying surgical materials needed to be purchased for the operation. 

The family further alleged that hospital authorities did not provide any written requisition slip or prescription, which is required for procuring the surgical items. The family alleged that the individual later escorted the patient’s family to a medicine shop within the hospital premises and collected nearly Rs 13,000 without issuing any bill or receipt. 

The family also alleged that after informing them that the surgery had been successful, some hospital staff demanded an additional Rs 1,000. As per standard practice, requisition slips for medicines or surgical equipment are generally issued to patients’ families by the concerned doctor or ward in-charge. 

Questions are being raised as to why no such document was provided to the family and whether any hospital personnel were involved in the alleged racket. 

The patient’s brother, Kailash Nayek, has submitted a written complaint to both the medical outpost police and the assistant superintendent of the hospital. Following the complaint, police from the medical outpost reportedly detained a youth identified as Shaibal Bhowal from the medical shop for questioning. 

Dr Nandan Banerjee, Assistant Superintendent of NBMCH, said: “The matter is being investigated and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty. We are also examining why no requisition slip was provided directly to the patient’s family.”