SIMS Medico alleges sexual harassment by Associate professor, students protest demanding suspension, arrest

Shivamogga: A shocking allegation of sexual harassment has emerged from the Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), where a second-year female postgraduate medical student has accused an Associate Professor from the Department of General Surgery of touching her inappropriately during a college gathering. 

In protest against the incident, the medical students of the college held a protest on the institute's premises, demanding the immediate arrest and suspension of the concerned professor. They wore black badges on campus and held a silent protest to express their outrage.

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According to a TOI news report, the protest was later temporarily called off by the students when the college authorities informed them about the ongoing investigation and explained the updates regarding the incident. 

The incident took place on June 14 during a dinner party organised to celebrate thesis submissions. It has been alleged that the said Associate Professor, allegedly harassed the student during the gathering, which was held at a local hotel. Several professors, including women faculty members, were present at the event.

As per the First Information Report (FIR), the professor allegedly asked the student to sit beside him. She complied and had some starters in the evening. As the main course was delayed, the accused, seated to her left, allegedly placed his hand on her thigh.

The victim, startled, asked him to remove his hand. Though he withdrew it, he allegedly placed it again a minute later and began rubbing her thigh, according to the FIR.

To stop this, the victim placed both her hands on her thighs, but the accused allegedly began holding her hands. Even after she tried to pull her hand away, he continued holding it and allegedly resumed touching her thighs

The victim felt embarrassed and humiliated and was unable to share the experience with anyone at the time. One of the professors reportedly asked her why she appeared upset, noting that she seemed visibly disturbed.

After returning to her hostel, she confided in her friends. Three days later, after recovering from the shock, she informed her father. 

On June 19, she lodged a complaint with the head of the department, Mohammad Arif, followed by a formal complaint to the Internal Complaints Committee, the FIR said, reports IANS. In her statement to the police, the victim urged them to take action against the concerned professor.

It has been reported that the professor is a habitual offender since in 2022, he had allegedly sexually harassed an intern in the Outpatient Department (OPD), for which a complaint was filed with the ICC and an FIR was registered. This case is currently under stay by the High Court.

The student later filed a complaint at the Shivamogga Women's Police Station against the accused. Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 75 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

Following the lodging of an FIR and the initiation of an investigation by the college management, the accused professor has gone missing.

Police stated that the Assistant Professor has been absent from duty since the complaint was registered against him. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had faced sexual harassment charges three months ago as well. At the time, the accused Assistant Professor was suspended for three months and resumed duty after the completion of his suspension period.

"He is a habitual offender who harasses women. No one else should have to go through such trauma," the PG student told the police. 

As per the reports, the college administration has not suspended the accused professor. During the protest, the students said that every student deserves to study in an environment that is respectful, secure, and free from fear.

"We expect appropriate punishment to be taken immediately to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," they said.

"We are issuing this statement in light of recent events involving an incident of sexual harassment within our institution. A complaint was submitted to the college administration and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) on June 19. On June 20, an FIR was registered at the women's police station. Since then, the accused has allegedly been absconding and has not yet been arrested," the students said.

The SIMS administration reported the incident to the Department of Medical Education and the Principal Secretary of the Medical Department on June 24. A notice was also issued to the professor asking for a written explanation, but he has been on the run since the filing of the FIR 

Condemning the incident, the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) on Wednesday issued a statement confirming that the accused has been “allegedly missing” since the FIR was filed and has not been arrested to date. Describing the student's appeal, the association demanded for immediate suspension and legal action against the concerned professor, reports SouthFirst.

Meanwhile, advocate and activist KP Sripal urged the government to step in without delay. Speaking to reporters, he expressed concern that even five days after the complaint was filed and an FIR registered, no arrest had been made in the case.

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