Kolkata: The West Bengal Medical Council has suspended Trinamool Congress leader and physician Dr Shantanu Sen for two years after finding him guilty of using a fake medical degree, media reports said.

Following a hearing on Thursday afternoon, the Council ruled that he cannot practise medicine during this period, according to an Aaj Tak report.

Allegations had long been swirling that Sen was using a foreign honorary degree—FRCP (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians)—without approval from the Council.

According to Sudipta Roy, Chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, an inquiry confirmed the charges.

Sen, however, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the Council targeted him deliberately.

“FRCP is an honorary degree, which can be used with one’s name without needing formal registration,” he said.

He also alleged that after receiving a notice from the Council, he applied as required and deposited ₹10,000 for registration, but the money was never refunded.

“I followed due procedure, yet they went ahead with the suspension. This is clearly a motivated move,” Sen stated.

Following the Council’s decision, fellow TMC doctor-leader Nirmal Maji told the media, “Suspending Shantanu Sen was the right decision. The party had already expelled him for his conduct. The person he attacked is a respected leader of our party.”

Sen had been directed to appear before the Council at 2 PM on Thursday. The suspension bars him from practising medicine for the next two years.