A severe political conflict has erupted across West Bengal following the unauthorized circulation of personal medical files belonging to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In response to the unapproved exposure of private treatment documents, legal proceedings have been officially initiated against the administrative hierarchy of SSKM Hospital as well as several high-ranking personnel within the state health department through her legal counsel.
The formal notice asserts that confidential data and diagnostic evaluations concerning the former chief minister's hospital care were brought into the public domain without any lawful clearance. It emphasizes that making private clinical evaluations accessible to the public represents an unmistakable breach of patient privacy regulations and fundamental medical ethics, requiring immediate accountability from the responsible institutions.
Current Administration Questions Severity of Campaign Injury
The controversy gained fresh momentum following declarations by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who referenced clinical files while alleging that the injury sustained in March 2021 during the state assembly election was completely devoid of any bone fracture. While pointing to hospital documentation, he asserted that clinical records reveal no tangible proof of a fracture or bone dislocation in her leg, confirming that an official inquiry into the matter would be conducted.
It was against these specific accusations and the publication of private health files that the legal challenge from Mamata Banerjee's legal team was served. The move highlights a sharp institutional confrontation over whether medical data was improperly leveraged for public disputes.
Trinamool Congress Dismisses Allegations as Poll Tactic
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) responded by outrightly dismissing the claims presented by Suvendu Adhikari, describing the allegations as exceedingly unfortunate, distasteful, and an explicit effort to sway voter sentiments ahead of upcoming by-elections. Party spokespersons maintained that reviving settled events from past campaigns reflects an attempt to generate political friction rather than discuss legitimate governance matters.
Context Behind the 2021 Nandigram Incident
The roots of this bitter exchange trace back to March 10, 2021, when Mamata Banerjee, who had served three terms as chief minister, suffered an injury to her left leg during high-decibel campaign activities in Reyapara within the Birulia sector of Nandigram. Immediately following the incident, she indicated that unidentified persons had pushed her, leading to an impact with the open door of her vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, she shared a video clarification stating that heavy crowd pressure during campaigning had caused the jostling. She was admitted to SSKM Hospital, where diagnostic evaluations confirmed severe trauma to the ligaments and bone structure around her left ankle and leg. Throughout the remainder of that assembly election campaign, she conducted public appearances from a wheelchair. The subsequent election results saw TMC achieve a historic mandate by securing more than 210 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 77 constituencies.
