Locals who reported the matter to the hospital said there was no response from the authorities. The superintendent of the hospital, they said, was not available.

Claiming inaction and slackness on part of the hospital authorities, the south Kolkata district Congress and south Kolkata district Seva Dal held an agitation in the administrative building and gheraoed Superintendent Dr T K Manna for an hour. Manna was allowed to leave only after the police intervened.

The irate mob tried to heckle him while he was being escorted out. The police had to resort to a lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

“The foetuses were spotted by the members of our party and locals around 12.30 pm,” said Asim Bose, secretary, south Kolkata District Congress. “Since the hospital super was not available, we informed the police. Around 4 pm, a foetus was still to be removed.”

A senior officer of Bhawanipore police said: “We were informed around 4.30 pm by the hospital authorities. We found a mutilated foetus and handed it over to them.”

According to preliminary inquiries, two foetuses wrapped in a gunny bag were placed inside a vat of the hospital. Dogs had dragged out the bags and had started feeding on them. “Locals said one of the foetuses was eaten completely,” the officer added.

Supratim Sarkar, DC, South, said: “The issue has been brought to my notice. We are looking into the matter.”

Manna said: “I inquired if there was any delivery of stillborn babies, but none had occurred in our hospital. I asked the emergency medical officer to look into the matter. One foetus was found which we have kept for autopsy.”