BJP demands probe into 'dog dialysis' at Bengal hospital

Kolkata: Union minister and BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan on Monday demanded a probe into allegations of arrangements being made for a dog to undergo dialysis at West Bengal's government-run SSKM Hospital.

Pradip Mitra, who was recently transferred from the post of SSKM director, claimed he was handed over marching orders for stopping the dialysis of a dog at the premier hospital on June 10.

The dog was allegedly sent for treatment by Trinamool Congress leader Nirmal Majhi, who heads the state medical council.

Terming his transfer to the College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital as an "insult", Mitra applied for voluntary retirement and also threatened to move court.

"If an order for a dog's dialysis was really made, then it is very unfortunate. The matter must be probed and strict action taken against those found guilty," said Balyan, the union minister of state for agriculture.

During the day, BJP leader Locket Chatterjee also submitted a memorandum to new SSKM director Manju Banerjee seeking details about the incident.

"People have the right to know the truth. Who ordered the arrangements for the dog's dialysis and at whose insistence? The hospital must come clean on this. An independent probe into the matter is imperative," Chatterjee, who is also a famed Bengali actress, told media persons.

Trinamool legislator Majhi has repeatedly denied the allegations and accused the media of defaming him.