MD medicine medico attempts suicide over alleged ragging, 4 doctors booked

Bareilly: Altogether four senior resident doctors of Shri Ram Murti Smarak (SRMS) Medical College in Bareilly have been booked after a first-year MD Medicine student allegedly attempted suicide by jumping from the third floor of the institution due to alleged ragging and prolonged mental harassment.

The student reportedly survived the incident and is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU of a local hospital. However, he sustained severe injuries in the fall.

The doctors have been accused of publicly humiliating the medico during ward rounds and duty hours, using abusive and derogatory language, and forcing him to work continuously for excessively long hours.

The medico's father, who filed the complaint, alleged that a written complaint regarding the harassment had earlier been submitted to the college administration, but no effective action was taken. Following this, he approached the local police seeking intervention.

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Based on a complaint lodged by his father, police have registered an FIR against four senior resident doctors, some unidentified students and the college administration under sections 191(2), 127, 296, 352, and 351(3), covering offences related to obstruction of official duty and mental harassment. An investigation is underway, and legal action will be taken based on the findings.

According to the FIR, the medico joined the MD medicine programme at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Medical College a few months ago and was allegedly subjected to continuous ragging and mental harassment by some second- and third-year MD students, as reported by PTI. 

The complaint alleged that the student was abused, humiliated, forced to perform personal errands for senior students, denied adequate rest and food, and compelled to work excessively long hours.

His father further alleged that despite informing the head of the department and other authorities about his ordeal, no action was taken. He claimed that his son was often made to work from 7 am to 11.30 pm and, at times, was forced to continue duty for up to 40 hours without proper breaks.

The SHO said that the police team has begun examining the college's CCTV footage and recording statements of other junior doctors and staff members. Facts or evidence emerging during the investigation will form the basis for taking the strictest possible legal action against the guilty, without any bias, he said.

The FIR stated that the alleged harassment and "inhuman treatment" drove the student to attempt suicide on May 2 by jumping from the third floor of the college building, leaving him with serious injuries. He remained admitted to the ICU for treatment.

The father alleged that after regaining consciousness and recovering to some extent, his son disclosed the details of the alleged ragging and harassment. He also claimed that representations were sent to the college principal and management on May 5, but no action was taken against those named in the complaint.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Bhojipura Station House Officer (SHO) Kunwar Bahadur Singh said, "We have begun examining the college's CCTV footage and recording statements of other junior doctors and staff members. Facts or evidence emerging during the investigation will form the basis for taking the strictest possible legal action against the guilty, without any bias."

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