AIIMS Bhopal Doctor Suicide Case: NHRC seeks report over harassment allegations

Bhopal: In a tragic incident, a female Assistant Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, has allegedly died by suicide following repeated harassment within her department, prompting the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The commission has directed the authorities to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit relevant documents, including copies of the FIR, the post-mortem report and other records related to the case within 15 days.

The matter came to light after NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of a complaint regarding the alleged harassment and subsequent death. In a post on X, he stated that a female Assistant Professor at the institute allegedly died by suicide after facing repeated harassment and humiliation from a senior official in her department. According to him, the doctor had filed three separate complaints against the Head of Department, accusing him of harassment. However, instead of initiating strict action, the hospital management allegedly attempted to suppress the issue.

Priyank Kanoongo further stated that according to the complaint, the Assistant Professor, distressed and frustrated over the circumstances, consumed a sedative drug in an attempt to render herself unconscious. She later died.

Describing the episode as “extremely tragic,” Kanoongo said the suicide of a promising young doctor has deeply saddened everyone. He informed that the NHRC has issued notices to the Bhopal Police, the management of AIIMS Bhopal, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, directing them to submit a detailed investigation report, ETV Bharat reported.

The Commission has stated that it will closely monitor the case and ensure strict action against those found guilty. It also emphasised the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.