Odisha Medical College Ragging: One Assistant Professor, 3 Senior residents handed suspension orders

Berhampur: As ragging incidents continue to surface at MKCG Medical College in Berhampur, with the latest occurring on December 21, the medical college is now moving to take stern action in the matter. In the recent most case of ragging, four doctors and a PG student were alleged to have physically assaulted a postgraduate surgery student in the institute's canteen, leaving him with bleeding injuries.

In response to the complainant's statement and substantial evidence, the college authorities suspended four doctors, including an assistant professor and three senior residents from their services, and debarred a second-year postgraduate resident from the hostel for 6 months on disciplinary grounds. In addition, the police have issued notices to the accused after registering a case in this regard. 

The four doctors have been identified as Dr Swain, assistant professor of orthopaedics, Dr Mohanty, Dr Pradhan, senior resident engaged as a contractual doctor in the paediatric department, Dr Veera, postgraduate senior resident in the department of general surgery, and Dr Sahoo, second-year postgraduate resident in orthopaedics.

Also read- MKCG Medical College ragging case: 5 MBBS students suspended for 6 months

The action was taken after a decision in the college council meeting on December 23 where the accused, the complainant and faculty members were summoned and their statements were recorded. A direction was also passed by the Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) for taking disciplinary action. 

According to the complainant, the incident took place on Saturday at around 12.30 am when the five accused assaulted him near the hostel's canteen. Following this, the student sustained serious injuries. However, the reason behind the conflict is unknown but a TOI news report suggests the possible reason to be over over smoking cigarettes, which is prohibited in the canteen.

Soon after Paediatric HoD Prof N Behera received information about the assault, he immediately reached the PG hostel to handle the situation. He then asked the accused to leave. Instead of following the instructions, the accused reportedly threatened him. This prompted Behera to inform the dean, Suchitra Dash about the incident. 

Following this, the PG student filed a complaint at Baidyanathpur police and a case was registered. 

Meanwhile, the dean also instructed the PG hostel authorities to close the canteens from 11 pm to 6 am. Besides, they were asked not to allow senior residents and assistant professors to PG hostels without prior permission of the warden, as reported by TNIE. 

Dash told TOI, "We cannot tolerate any indiscipline on the college premises and stringent action will be taken against those involved in unruly activities. Following the direction of the director of medical education and training (DMET), the college during a council meeting on Dec 23 decided to take action against the five."

Also read- MKCG Medical College 2nd year MBBS students allege ragging by seniors, NMC intervenes