SMCH: “Dr. Rajiv Biswas forced my father to attempt suicide”: Ranadhir Paul’s daughter Puja

“Walk into the Thalassemia department in Silchar Medical College and Hospital and ask the patients or their attendants, if they know Ranadhir Paul. When they say yes, follow up by asking if they ever paid Paul for blood and you will get a sense of the reality…” In a room filled with journalists, this is how Mohitosh (Ahsu) Paul, one of the most respected names in the health and welfare fraternity, started his address today morning.

To put it into context – Ranadhir Paul is an employee of the SMCH deputed in Silchar Blood Bank. Last Saturday, he reportedly tried to commit suicide by consuming some sort of pesticide. Incidentally, that was the same day CCTV cameras were installed at the blood bank. A conspiracy theory surfaced and found space in media – immediately after installing CCTV cameras, employees started committing suicide. Senior employees of SMCH were quoted by daily broadsheets which stated that several disciplinary actions were taken against Paul.

Puja Paul, daughter of Ranadhir Paul and Mohitosh (Ashu) Paul from Barak Valley voluntary blood donors forum held a press conference at Ranadhir Paul’s residence in Kathal Road Silchar. Puja Paul accused Blood Bank in-charge, doctor Rajiv Biswas of “pressurising and harassing” her father Ranadhir Paul. She went on to say, “My father did not commit suicide but doctor Rajiv Biswas forced him to do so.” Puja Paul added, “Since last one month he has been talking to us about doctor Biswas and the way he has been misbehaving with him. Saturday, while talking to us he almost broke into tears. He said that the line has been crossed and he can no longer work there (blood bank). His self-respect was hurt and image tarnished by doctor Biswas.” Ranadhir Paul’s wife Supriya Paul has filed an FIR against doctor Biswas at Silchar Police Station.

Mohitosh (Ashu) Paul too recognised Ranadhir Paul as a man of principle. He said, “I am associated with various blood donation awareness programmes for the last 17 years and have known Paul since day one. I was posted in Dibrugarh for a while and it happened so many times that I got calls from attendants of patients in urgent need of blood. There was one man whom you could call at any point of time and he would arrange blood, he is Ranadhir Paul. I met him many times for various reasons, and he treated me with a cup of tea number of times but never accepted a drop from me, let alone taking money for blood.”

Paul also added that if the administration is suspicious it has all the right to conduct an investigation. “If Ranadhir is found guilty, actions must be taken against him. But without any investigation, pressurising an employee or taking actions against him is unjust,” Ashu Paul added.

The family members and others briefing the press took a jibe at the coverage of the matter. Puja Paul said that various news publications are quoting many people, while some are commenting on his nature, others are alleging him of corruption and few are even pointing fingers at our properties by saying we are privileged with Gaari Baari (house, cars). “Our house is bought on loan and we are still paying EMI. My father does not even own a cycle, let alone cars and all. A man dedicated all his life, selflessly working 24 hours a day, week after week. Is this how we should acknowledge his dedication?” she questioned. Ashu Paul too questioned the “trial by media” and said that is tarnishing the image of an individual.

Chief superintendent cum Principal of SMCH, doctor Babul Bezbaruah refused to speculate on the matter. He said, “At this stage, one of our employees is admitted in the hospital and our first priority is to get him fit.” Bezbaruah added, “We don’t know yet if he has tried to commit suicide. This is a matter of investigation and we will only get to know the details after the investigation is over.”

As per sources, some disciplinary actions were taken against Ranadhir Paul. His family members refused to comment on the details of the actions and the reason behind it. Instead, they said that in-charge doctor Rajiv Biswas was after Ranadhir Paul’s life and he was behind all of it. The principal too refused to get into the details instead played it down by saying that he has been informed by various sources about the irregularities in various departments of SMCH and the investigating agencies and committees are looking into the matter.