The probe into the RG Kar hospital lift death in Kolkata has intensified, with investigators focusing on safety lapses and possible human error. (File Photo)Investigators probing the death of 40-year-old Aroop Bandopadhyay, after he got trapped in a lift at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata, on Friday are focusing on potential human error and safety protocol lapses, even as records show the elevator had cleared a routine inspection earlier this month, a police officer said on Sunday.A central component of the police inquiry involves the elevator’s machine room—a separate control unit used to manage the lift during mechanical failures.“After primary investigation we suspect that the machine room was accessed by someone post accident who had no expertise. We are verifying who entered there and what actions were taken,” said a police official.It is also being investigated whether the power supply was externally disconnected or if manual intervention in the control room inadvertently caused the lift to move while the victim was caught in the doors.The hospital asserts the lift underwent a “standard health check” in early March with no major defects reported. However, the timeline of the rescue operation suggests a massive breakdown in communication.In the absence of any camera inside the elevator, police are relying on CCTV footage from outside the lift to get to the root cause of the incident, the officer said. CCTV footage shows Bandyopadhyay near the Trauma Care operation theater at 4:15 am, and his body was brought to a ward at 5:12 am, the police officer said. The lift maintenance agency was allegedly first notified of the incident at 6:30 am.On Friday, Bandopadhyay died after getting stuck inside an elevator at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. He had entered the lift at the Trauma Care Centre around 3 am, after his son’s fractured leg surgery, when it allegedly malfunctioned, leaving him and two others trapped. The lift descended to a dark basement with a locked outer iron grill. While Bandopadhyay managed to push his wife and child to safety, the lift suddenly moved upward, dragging him against a cement wall.Story continues below this adRecounting the harrowing ordeal, Bandopadhyay’s wife, Sonali Dutta Bandyopadhyay, said, “I saw my husband bleeding profusely. He was stuck like that for 1.5 hours. Imagine a person is bleeding and stuck for more than an hour and ultimately dies inside a hospital premises.”The victim’s sister slammed the hospital’s preparedness, saying, “When we were screaming they said ‘we do not have keys we can’t help’. Why does it take a tragedy/death for the government to learn lessons? When you don’t have access to keys, why would you keep the gate locked like that?”The Detective department of the Kolkata Police’s Homicide branch has taken over the investigation into the incident. The police have arrested three lift operators and two security personnel under sections of the BNS related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.The police may consult the Public Works Department (PWD) to determine if mandatory safety manuals and training protocols were ignored by the staff on duty.Story continues below this adSaptarshi Chattopadhyay, the hospital superintendent said that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being implemented immediately. “Of course if there was a lift man 24×7 death would not have occurred. There are 32 lifts inside RG Kar; if there is no lift man, we are not allowing people to use those elevators. Every lift will have a stool and a lift man in it.”Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd