A 40-year-old man died after being trapped in a malfunctioning lift at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in north Kolkata early on Friday, March 20, 2026. The victim, identified as Arup Bandopadhyay (also reported as Arup Banerjee or Aroop Bandopadhyay), a resident of Dum Dum, had visited the hospital's trauma care centre with his wife and four-year-old son for treatment of the child's fractured arm or leg. The incident occurred in the early morning hours, around 3-5 a.m., when the family entered the elevator to reach a higher floor.

According to reports, the lift suddenly malfunctioned, with some accounts describing it as stopping abruptly, plunging to the basement, or becoming erratic, trapping the three family members inside. Family members alleged a significant delay in rescue efforts, with the victim remaining stuck for over an hour. When emergency services finally accessed the lift—reportedly by breaking open the door—Bandopadhyay was found unconscious, bleeding from the nose, and was declared dead upon being taken to the emergency unit. Preliminary postmortem findings attributed the death to polytrauma, including compression of the chest wall and multiple traumatic injuries, though initial suspicions included suffocation or a heart attack due to the prolonged entrapment.

The tragedy sparked immediate outrage among family members and other visitors, who protested at the hospital premises, accusing staff of negligence, particularly citing the absence of a lift operator at the time. The hospital, a major state-run facility that has faced prior controversies over safety and maintenance, saw relatives claim no timely assistance was provided despite the emergency. Police from Tala station responded swiftly, detaining five individuals—three lift operators and two security personnel—for questioning in connection with the incident, as investigations probe potential lapses in maintenance, safety protocols, and emergency response.

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This event has reignited concerns about infrastructure reliability in government hospitals in West Bengal, especially at RG Kar, which continues to serve a high volume of patients amid ongoing scrutiny of administrative practices. Opposition leaders have criticized the state government, labeling the death as a result of systemic negligence. The child's treatment proceeded, with reports indicating successful surgery, while the wife was rescued unharmed. Authorities have launched a formal probe to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and any violations of safety standards.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident underscores broader issues of elevator maintenance and emergency preparedness in public healthcare facilities. Hospital officials have acknowledged the event but provided limited immediate details, with further updates expected on accountability measures and preventive steps to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

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