Kolkata, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal Health Department to complete within a week its ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities at 11 private blood banks, including the unauthorised sale of blood and plasma to other states.
The direction came after one of the private blood banks challenged the Health Department’s decision restricting the institutions from organising voluntary blood donation camps across West Bengal. The matter was heard by a single-judge bench of Justice Krishna Rao.
The court did not interfere with the ongoing investigation but fixed a one-week deadline for the Health Department to complete the probe. The department had earlier been asked to submit a status report on the investigation.
According to the Health Department, the 11 blood banks were facing allegations of collecting blood beyond prescribed limits during donation camps and selling red blood cells and plasma outside West Bengal without authorisation. Several other irregularities were also reportedly detected during inspections.
The department had subsequently imposed restrictions on the blood banks under guidelines issued by the state’s Blood Transfusion Council. The restrictions initially included a ban on organising voluntary blood donation camps.
However, following discussions and considering practical requirements, the department later allowed the blood banks to resume blood collection, subject to compliance with applicable rules and rectification of earlier irregularities. The investigation, nevertheless, was continued.
The case assumes significance as authorities examine whether blood collected through donation camps was diverted for commercial purposes outside the state, raising concerns over compliance with regulations governing blood collection, storage and distribution
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