Medinirai Medical College Principal accused of alleged misconduct, threatening students, doctors' body demands termination

Dhanbad: Shocking allegations of misconduct including inappropriate behaviour, vulgar remarks, privacy violations, constant surveillance, and threats against medical students, have surfaced against the newly appointed Principal of Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in Palamu.

This follows complaints from medical students who reported being verbally abused and threatened by the principal on multiple occasions. They alleged that the principal made inappropriate remarks to the female students creating a hostile environment on campus. Students also claimed that the principal imposed a strict prohibition on any interaction between male and female classmates. 

There are also allegations that the principal constantly patrols the campus and frequently questions medical students over minor issues. Students claimed that after reporting his misconduct to the hospital superintendent and the Deputy Commissioner (DC), the principal threatened them using his political and administrative influence. In a shocking turn of events, it has also been alleged that the principal installed CCTV cameras near the girls' toilet in the hostel, raising serious privacy concerns.

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Demanding the immediate termination of the principal, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote a letter to Jharkhand’s Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari expressing deep concern over the ongoing issue. The association reportedly took action after receiving repeated complaints regarding the principal's inappropriate behaviour towards the students. 

In its letter, FAIMA expressed concern over the medical community in Jharkhand, which has been shaken by the principal’s alleged actions. The association further questioned the principal's authoritative behaviour as they pointed out that- How can he threaten the faculties, residents and students to show his political and administrative power if they don't wish to follow his "ill-orders"? 

"The students and even faculties of MMCH, Palamu are going through a bad phase where they are not able to work or study under such pressurised and coerced environment. So, FAIMA, India requests you to kindly look upon this matter personally and terminate the current Principal of MMCH, Palamu in the larger interest of all the students and faculties," reads the letter. 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, National Zonal Executive, FAIMA and Vice-President, IMA-JDN, Jharkhand said "There is a big stir in MMCH, PALAMU, Jharkhand. Only first batch has recently passed out. A new principal has come, Dr ***. He never wants to see any boy and girl together even after their classes are over. For his ego, he is calling local police to raid the hostels and make fake allegations on the students residing in hostels. He must be terminated or else the students would be forced to be a slave." 

According to a formal complaint submitted to the hospital superintendent on January 13, the students claimed that the principal made vulgar remarks towards the female students like " You girls should keep the testosterone levels of your male batchmates on check, "Girls get attracted to those boys who have superbikes", "If you want to make physical relations, go to hotels" etc. 

The controversy began after MBBS girl students filed a complaint on January 18 with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shashi Ranjan through the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), accusing the principal of misconduct.

On the same night after the students filed the complaint, the Palamu district administration in Jharkhand conducted a raid at around 8.30 pm in in both the boys’ and girls’ hostels of MMCH over alleged misconduct by some students. Medininagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sulochana Meena said the raid was conducted after several complaints were received about the alleged misbehaviour of a few inmates.

“The search operation was conducted based on a tip-off and complaints about alleged misbehaviour by some students for several days. No objectionable material was found in the girls’ hostel, while two packets of marijuana and bottles of alcohol were recovered from the boys’ hostel,” she said.

The administration informed the Narcotics department for further action after the recovery of “illegal substances”, another official said. “However, no arrest has been made in the matter so far. The students of the hostels protested the administrative action,” he said.

Terming the act as "inappropriate", the Junior Doctors Network (JDN) condemned the search operation. "Such a search operation has not been conducted in any girls’ hostel of medical colleges of the state. If it had been done by complying rules, we would have supported this. We would protest it strongly,” said Kumar, who is also joint secretary of IMA Ranchi.

The senior professors of the medical college said the administration should have taken permission from the principal, before conducting such an action. 

Meanwhile, female students, feeling intimidated and threatened by a sudden raid, submitted a letter to the police superintendent accusing the principal of planning the raid to harass them.

In the letter, the female students alleged that a raid was conducted at the hostel on January 18th, just a week after they reported the principal's sexist behaviour. They claimed that the raid was the direct result of their complaint against the principal as they stated that the principal had previously threatened to use his political powers and administrative authority.

"Our complaint is not an isolated incident, as there have been similar reports in the past against him at his previous place of work, which raises grave concern about our own safety and well-being."

Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary told Medical Dialogues, "The principal is truly an inefficient administrator who is misusing his political and administrative powers.. He doesn't even listen to SRs who are posted there in their bond period and is making draconian rules for students, Non-Acad JRs, SRs and even faculties. Earlier he was in MGM Medical college Jamshedpur. There also several female doctors have alleged that he made attempts to humiliate them and also has perverted gestures for girl students."

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