MD Gynaecology Suicide at Nair Hospital: HoD Gynaecology, Professor issued Show cause Notices

Mumbai: Two days after the doctor pursuing MD Gynecology committed suicide, the Head of Department, Gynaecology (HoD) and the unit head professor have been issued show cause notices by the hospital authorities.

According to a recent report by TOI, via the notices the concerned authorities have been asked as to why they didn’t take any action on the complaints submitted by the doctor alleging harassment by the three accused doctors in the case who allegedly used to trouble her during working hours, besides, commenting casteist slurs at her.

Medical Dialogues recently reported about the unfortunate incident where the doctor has been identified as a 26-year-old PG medico pursuing MD Gynecology from a well known BYL Nair Hospital in Mumbai allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her hostel room.

The doctor was allegedly under depression as three of her senior colleagues allegedly used to harass her with castiest remarks.

Read Also: Mumbai: MD Gynecology commits Suicide over alleged Harassment, 3 Seniors booked for Abetment

“She alleged that the doctors would not allow her to meet her husband or have food during working hours as she belonged to a lower caste. They also threatened her that she would not be able to complete her MD,” the medico’s brother had informed.

Following the complaint registered by the mother of the medico, the three accused doctors had been booked for abetment to suicide under relevant sections of IPC. No arrests have been made so far.

Subsequent to the incident, an anti-ragging committee, comprising doctors, police officials and NGO members, has started a parallel investigation into the case.

With the investigation going on, the hospital authorities have issued show cause notices to HoD Gynaecology and the deceased Medico’s unit head for allegedly not acting on the complaints submitted by her alleging harassment.

"Prima facie, it seems that the deceased doctor’s unit head and department head, were aware of her issues as she had lodged verbal complaints. However, it is best known to these professors why such a serious complaint was not escalated to my level," Dean Dr Bharmal informed TOI adding that he was in the dark about the case.

"Whether or not the professors had resolved the matter, they should have brought it to my notice. If we find that her complaint was not appropriately handled, we will not hesitate to initiate action against the professors too," he added.

Dr Bharmal informed TOI that the report by the committee is expected by Tuesday, following which a decision on the suspension of the three accused doctors would be taken.

Moreover, it has also come to light that the deceased PG medico’s father had on May 10, written to Health Minister Girish Mahajan and the Agripada police asking for his daughter's unit to be changed. In his letter, he wrote that his daughter was always "reminded of her background". He also alleged that she was not allowed to meet her mother, a cancer patient, when she came to the hospital for treatment.