Blood Banks Under Investigation: West Bengal has suspended outdoor blood donation camps by 11 private blood banks over alleged irregularities. The Calcutta High Court has sought the state’s investigation report before the next hearing.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | August 7, 2026
State Government Faces Legal Challenge After Suspending Outdoor Blood Donation Camps of 11 Private Blood Banks
Blood Banks Under Investigation has emerged as a major public health issue in West Bengal after the state government temporarily prohibited 11 private blood banks from organizing voluntary blood donation camps outside their premises. The decision, which came into effect on August 1, has now reached the Calcutta High Court after one of the affected blood banks challenged the government’s directive, arguing against the restrictions imposed during the ongoing inquiry.
The controversy surrounding Blood Banks Under Investigation began after the West Bengal State Blood Transfusion Council, functioning under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, reported serious concerns during surprise inspections conducted at several private blood banks. According to the council, health officials observed multiple procedural violations related to blood collection, storage, and distribution. Based on these preliminary findings, authorities initiated a detailed investigation and imposed an interim ban on organizing external voluntary blood donation camps until the inquiry is completed.
The Calcutta High Court took up the matter on Friday following the petition filed by one of the affected institutions. During the hearing, Justice Krishna Rao sought clarification from the state government regarding the current status of the investigation. The court directed the government to submit a comprehensive progress report by August 14, while the matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on August 19.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, several allegations are being examined against the concerned blood banks. Investigators are looking into claims that some institutions allegedly collected blood far beyond the prescribed limits, failed to comply with mandatory protocols during voluntary blood donation camps, and were involved in the unauthorized sale of blood components—including red blood cells and plasma—to buyers outside West Bengal without obtaining the required permissions. Authorities believe these alleged practices, if established, could amount to serious violations of blood transfusion regulations designed to safeguard donor and patient safety.
Despite the temporary prohibition on organizing outdoor blood donation camps, the state government has allowed the affected institutions to continue collecting blood within their own licensed hospital or blood bank premises. However, such collections must strictly adhere to all statutory guidelines and be carried out only by trained personnel in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
Health department sources maintain that the restrictions are precautionary and will remain in force until investigators complete their examination and determine whether the allegations are substantiated. Officials have emphasized that the objective of the action is to preserve transparency, maintain public confidence in the blood transfusion system, and ensure that every unit of blood collected and distributed complies with national safety standards.
The affected private blood banks are located across several districts and urban centers, including Sonarpur, Entally, Jodhpur Park, Alipore Road, Padmapukur, Beleghata, Howrah, Krishnanagar, Raiganj, Purba Bardhaman, and Andal.
With judicial scrutiny now underway, the High Court’s directions and the outcome of the state government’s investigation are expected to play a significant role in determining whether the restrictions remain in force or are modified in the coming weeks.
