'Kicked, punched, tortured': 1st-year PGIMS BDS student alleges assault, harassment by MD anatomy medico for past 7 months, accused arrested

Chandigarh: Amid the nationwide outrage and protest against the rape-murder of a Kolkata doctor, a shocking incident of assault has been reported from Rohtak where a first-year BDS student of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) was allegedly physically assaulted and harassed for the past 7 months by a resident doctor of MD Anatomy first year. 

According to the student's statement, the accused doctor was stalking her and persistently pressured her to enter into a relationship. However, when she refused, the alleged assault, harassment and torture began. Although the alleged harassment started 7 months ago, it came to light when she shared a note on social media revealing her disturbing and traumatic experience that took place on August 16 and 17. 

In her note, the student claimed that the accused doctor also threatened her that he would ensure she failed Anatomy and even withheld her admit card using it as leverage to force her into meeting him. 

"What began as a seemingly friendly interaction soon escalated into something much more sinister. For the past two months, I have been living in fear as he constantly harassed and blackmailed me," reads the note. 

Also read- Harassed by stalker, 32-year-old Paediatrician commits suicide in Hyderabad

The incident took place on the night of August 16 when the doctor allegedly called her outside the college library, promising that he would stop troubling her and hand over her admit card. However, when she arrived at the location, the doctor allegedly forced her to enter his car and drove her to an unknown location. The student alleged that she was abused physically and emotionally on an extreme level for nearly 12 hours, from 11 PM on the 16th until 1 PM on the 17th. 

"He kicked, punched, and tortured me with a knife, leaving marks all over my body, including my face. I was finally released back on campus, where I immediately called my parents and filed a complaint. Despite this, no serious action has been taken against him. I'm left questioning how someone like him could be allowed into a medical college in the first place. I want justice for what I've endured, and I am determined to make sure no one else has to suffer in the same way," she alleged in the note. 

A video that she uploaded on social media showed injury marks as a result of the alleged assault. She stated that she was a first-year student of BDS and alleged that she was tortured by the accused for seven months.

"He beats me, tortures me whenever I tell him that I don't want to be with him. He threatens that he will not mark my attendance in lectures and won't allow me to sit in exams," the student alleged in the video.

In response to the serious allegations against the doctor, the authorities of PGIMS on August 18 debarred him and was immediately arrested after an FIR was registered based on the complaint of the student. 

“As approved by the competent authorities, Dr. *** ***, PG student of MD Anatomy course batch 2023 is hereby expelled from Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak. His entry to the UHSR/ PGIMS, Rohtak is debarred,” read a circular issued by the PGIMS director on Sunday.

Rohtak police said an incident of assault of a BDS student at the PGIMS Rohtak campus was brought to their notice on Saturday night by PGIMS authorities and acting swiftly on the information, senior police officers reached the medical college and contacted the victim and her family.

"An FIR was registered and the accused was immediately arrested. The victim was medically examined and her statement was also recorded before a Judicial Magistrate," the police told PTI. 

Rohtak police said no evidence of sexual harassment has yet come to the fore in the girl's statement and during the investigation. The accused doctor teaches anatomy in the medical college.

The accused is being interrogated thoroughly. An investigation is being done keeping every aspect in mind in the case, Rohtak Deputy Superintendent of Police Virender Singh said in a statement. "The police team and senior officers of PGIMS immediately reached the spot. The police immediately took cognizance of the matter and an FIR was registered against the accused," he said.

Reaction from netizens

After the note and a video went viral on social media, the netizens expressed their concern and frustration over the incident calling for strict action against the accused doctor. 

In a post on 'X' a user said "There are few vultures are present amongst us. They also need to be punished."

"This perpetrator must be punished as per existing laws to protect women and children (if the girl is minor). We would like to know the stand of @NMC_IND and @MoHFW_INDIA in this case and cases like this and the action taken by them. @MoHFW_INDIA @NCWIndia @India_NHRC must take suo moto of these cases immediately when it comes to their attention to create a sense of trust and confidence in public and to ensure safety for women in the nation," said another user. 

"Where there is a will there is a way An incident of Physical abuse to a female student of PGIMS Rohtak came to light yesterday. taking suo moto action Haryana police contacted the victim and arrested the accused," said a user.

"Dr *** who is a 1st Year BDS student assaulted by a Senior Anatomy PG, at PGI Rohtak. Strict Actions Should be taken with immediate effect." 

Also read- RG Kar Incident: Over 70 Padma Awardee Doctors write to PM Modi to Take Immediate Action