The Bengal branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended Sushanta Roy, an eye specialist based in Jalpaiguri, on Tuesday, while posing questions over his presence at the R G Kar Medical College & Hospital after the rape and murder of the lady doctor on last month.

He was the secretary of IMA's Jalpaiguri branch.

Dilip Kumar Dutta and Santanu Sen, the president and state secretary of the state branch of IMA, respectively, have sent a two-page letter to Roy, saying he has been suspended from the association.

“He is under the scanner of a central investigating agency as he was present at RGKMCH after the crime, even though he has no connection with the hospital. Also, at a time when thousands of doctors resorted to protests and walked in the streets, he didn't join the protests,” said a senior member of IMA.

“Sushanta Roy intimidated some of the doctors who joined the protests and was supportive of Sandip Ghosh (the immediate past principal of RGKMCH),” he added.

After the incident, Datta, the president of IMA Bengal, sent a letter to the president of the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), requesting the suspension of some doctors who were present at the crime scene after the incident, including Roy.

Though WBMC suspended Avik Dey and Birupaksha Biswas, two other doctors, it has not taken any step against Roy so far.

In the letter, the IMA also mentioned that Roy is the “mentor” of a “threat syndicate” that he would run with Dey, Biswas, and some others.

“IMA had received reports about him for certain financial irregularities and violation of the norms of IMA. That is why, the decision has been made,” the member added.

Roy said it is an attempt to stop him from contesting the elections of the Bengal branch of the IMA.