Ragging at MKCG Medical College: 2 house surgeons fined Rs 25k each for harassing MBBS student

Berhampur: Taking action against two house surgeons for allegedly ragging a fourth-year MBBS student, the anti-ragging committee of MKCG Medical College and Hospital imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on them.

As per the complaint filed by the student, the house surgeons mentally harassed him for not showing respect to their seniors. During the investigation, the committee found that while there was no physical assault, the student was subjected to psychological harassment.

Based on the allegations against the two house surgeons, the anti-ragging committee held a meeting and found both individuals guilty of misconduct and accordingly punished them with a penalty. 

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

The incident occurred on May 12 when the two accused house surgeons allegedly harassed the student. The following day, on May 13, the victim reported the ragging incident to the college dean through a written complaint. The matter was then forwarded to the Anti-Ragging Committee for review.

After reviewing the matter, the committee held a meeting where they stressed that such behaviour is unacceptable, particularly among medical professionals and students. As a disciplinary measure, the anti-ragging committee decided to impose a fine of Rs 25,000 each on the two house surgeons involved in the ragging. 

Talking to TOI, the complainant alleged that after he reported the ragging incident to the authorities, some of his classmates, hostel union members, and a few house surgeons threatened him to withdraw the complaint. They also threatened to boycott him if he did not withdraw the complaint.

Dr. Suchitra Das, Dean and Medical Superintendent of MKCG, told Odisha TV, "Names of the two persons mentioned in the complaint are of house surgeons. Based on the complaint, a meeting was held today, and it was found that a verbal spat had occurred on the intervening day between the house surgeons and the victim fourth-year MBBS student."

“No physical assault had occurred between them. However, based on the magnitude of ragging, the Committee decided to fix the responsibility with the house surgeons and penalise them with Rs 25,000 each,” Das added. 

Meanwhile, SP (Berhampur), Saravana Vivek M, told TOI, "We are conducting a separate inquiry into the incident. We will register a case if the incident turns out to be serious as per ragging guidelines."

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