ObGyn resident doctor suicide attempt over alleged ragging, harassment: NMC seeks Action Taken Report from MGM Indore

New Delhi: Taking cognisance of the complaint regarding the suicide attempt by a PG Resident at MGM Medical College Indore after alleged ragging and harassment, the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the institute's Dean/Principal to submit an Action Taken Report.

The medical college has been directed to submit comments on the allegations and state whether the institutional mechanisms for prevention of ragging and protection of students' mental health were functional, accessible, and effectively implemented in the Gynaecology department before the reported incident, with supporting documentary evidence.

Further, the Apex Medical Commission has asked the medical college to ensure that the concerned PG resident doctor is not subjected to any retaliation, victimisation, intimidation or adverse academic treatment during or after the inquiry. 

"The identity of any resident/student providing information may be kept confidential to the extent permissible under law. The para-wise comments and Action Taken Report, duly supported by documentary evidence, shall submitted to the National Medical Commission within 24 hours of receipt of this communication. The matter may be treated as MOST URGENT," the NMC Anti-Ragging Cell mentioned in a communication addressed to the Dean of the Institute on 21 September, 2026.

Also Read: MGM Indore ObGyn resident attempts suicide after alleged harassment, ragging, complaint to NMC accuses 3 doctors, demands inquiry

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a first-year resident doctor at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of MGM Medical College, Indore, attempted suicide by administering an excessive dose of insulin. She was rescued by the police and taken to MY Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

It was alleged that the doctor attempted self-harm after facing a hostile working environment, including ragging and harassment by seniors. Three second-year resident doctors have been accused.

The matter reached the National Medical Commission (NMC) after the brother of the concerned doctor submitted a complaint before the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body. He requested the Commission to conduct an independent, impartial, and time-bound inquiry against the 3 accused JR-2 residents and the role and alleged inaction of the HoD.

NMC Takes Cognisance: 

In a communication to the Dean of the Institute, NMC Anti Ragging Cell referred to the complaint by the doctor's brother. The NMC pointed out that the complaint mentioned that the circumstances preceding the reported incident require immediate, impartial and objective examination. 

"The allegations include repeated public humiliation over minor mistakes, mental harassment and excessive pressure, alleged threats of adverse academic consequences, coercion to undertake non-academic/paperwork duties and alleged continued targeting despite the matter reportedly having been brought to the notice of the HOD, Dr. ***. It has also been alleged that such conduct was stated to be "normal in Gynaecology"," NMC further added in the communication.

NMC further referred to the allegations in the complaint regarding the actual working hours of the PG residents, alleging that although the official roster provides approximately 12-hour duties, the concerned PG resident was allegedly required to work approximately 14-15 hours at ground level, in addition to substantial non-academic/paperwork duties.

Referring to this, the Anti-Ragging Cell of the Commission mentioned, "The NMC has taken the matter seriously, particularly in view of the reported suicide attempt and the allegations concerning the safety, dignity, mental well-being and academic training of a postgraduate resident. The allegations require immediate verification with reference to the applicable NMC Anti-Ragging Regulations, postgraduate medical education requirements, directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court concerning prevention of ragging, NMC Public Notice dated 09.03.2026 and other applicable rules/law."

NMC Seeks Action-Taken Report from MGM Indore: 

The Commission has requested the Dean/Principal of the institute to examine the matter and confirm the reported insulin-overdose incident, including the date/time and circumstances of the incident, the manner in which the doctor was found, her present medical status, and whether the College/Hospital has received or verified relevant medical/incident records.

Further, the institute has been asked to state whether the doctor had previously made any oral or written complaint regarding harassment, ragging, humiliation, intimidation, excessive workload or non-academic work. 

The college has also been directed to specifically examine and report on the allegations of repeated public humiliation, intimidation, targeting over minor mistakes, and mental harassment allegedly involving the three senior resident doctors; verify the allegation of the doctor being threatened to be failed academically, verify whether the doctor was assigned substantial non-academic/paperwork or other duties, the nature and duration of such duties, and whether such duties were distributed comparably among PG residents of the same batch/department. 

Apart from this, the medical college has been asked to furnish the official duty roster, attendance/biometric records, duty/hand-over registers and leave records of the doctor for the relevant period, specifically clarifying the allegation of 14-15 hours of actual duty vis-à-vis the official duty roster. Clarification has also been sought regarding the manner in which the alleged complaints were brought to the notice of the HoD and what action was taken thereafter and whether any counselling, mediation, warning, monitoring or other preventive intervention was undertaken. 

NMC has also sought to know the details regarding the functioning of the Anti-Ragging Committee/Anti-Ragging Squad, including its constitution, monitoring arrangements, round/inspection records, complaints received and action taken during the relevant period, specifically addressing whether the present allegations were reported to or considered by the Committee/Squad.

The Dean has been asked to conduct confidential interactions with PG residents of the concerned department, without the presence of senior residents, faculty members or other persons against whom allegations are made, to ascertain whether similar instances of harassment, humiliation, intimidation or coercion to undertake non-academic work have been reported or experienced.

Further, NMC has directed the institute to immediately preserve and examine all relevant WhatsApp/group messages, emails, complaints, duty rosters, attendance/biometric records, handover registers, leave records, academic records and other electronic/documentary evidence relevant to the allegations, adding that "No relevant record shall be altered, deleted or otherwise tampered with."

The college has also been asked to report the measures taken to ensure that the medico's training, attendance, formative assessment, thesis work, examination eligibility and academic progression are not adversely affected merely on account of raising a complaint or participating in any inquiry. Besides, the institute has been asked to furnish the details of the immediate measures taken to protect the doctor from further harassment, intimidation, victimisation or academic retaliation, and the counselling/mental-health support made available to her where appropriate, her family.

NMC asks whether the Supreme Court's directions on prevention of Ragging have been complied with: 

The Commission has also asked to furnish a specific report regarding compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court on prevention of ragging and the NMC Public Notice dated 09.03.2026 relating to the safety, mental health and well-being of medical students.

NMC has directed that the report shall specifically indicate whether the Anti-Ragging Squad were duly constituted and functioning, whether regular monitoring, surprise visits, orientation and preventive measures were undertaken, whether accessible and confidential mechanisms were available for reporting ragging, harassment, intimidation and psychological distress, whether accessible and confidential mechamisms were available for reporting ragging, harassment, intimidation and psychological distress, whether appropriate counselling and mental-health support were available to PG residents, whether complaints/incidents were promptly recorded, investigated and reported to the competent authorities, whether the Dean/Principal, HOD and other responsible functionaries exercised effective supervision and accountability and whether any lapse or non-compliance with the applicable Supreme Court directions, NMC Regulations NMC Public Notice dated 09.03.2026 occurred in the present case, and the corrective action taken/proposed thereon.

"The College shall specifically state whether the institutional mechanisms for prevention of ragging protection of student mental health were functional, accessible and effectively implemented in the concerned department prior to the reported incident, with supporting documentary evidence," NMC Anti-Ragging Cell directed.

Along with the Action Taken Report, MGM Indore has been asked to enclose the following documents, wherever applicable-

1. Previous complaints/representations of the concerned doctor and action taken regarding the same;

2. Duty rosters and attendance/biometric records;

3. Duty/hand-over registers;

4. Leave records;

5. Academic/formative assessment records;

6. Relevant WhatsApp/group messages, emails and other electronic evidence;

7. Constitution and records of meetings/rounds of the Anti-Ragging Committee/Squad;

8. Details of counselling and other support provided;

9. Relevant medical/incident records available with the institution; and

10. Action taken by the HOD/Dean/Institution on any earlier complaint or representation.

Dr Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson, United Doctors Front (UDF), mentioned that he has been continuously in communication with senior officials of the NMC, the Dean/administration of MGM Indore and the family members of the affected Resident Doctor since the matter came to his notice.

"We are thankful to the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission for its prompt intervention and immediate action within 24 hours. The seriousness with which the NMC has taken the matter and its direction for a detailed, evidence-based Action Taken Report is reassuring. We expect MGM Indore to fully cooperate, preserve all relevant evidence and ensure that there is no retaliation or victimisation of the resident or any witness," he said.

He further said that the allegations must be examined impartially and strictly on the basis of evidence, including actual duty records, attendance/biometric data, previous complaints and electronic communications, rather than merely relying upon official duty rosters.

“Resident Doctors deserve a safe academic environment, dignity and protection from ragging, humiliation and intimidation. At the same time, patient safety and compliance with applicable residency norms cannot be compromised. We will continue to follow the matter closely with the competent authorities until appropriate corrective action is taken," Dr. Mittal added.

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