Pharmacology medico suicide case: Accused HoD resigns after protests

Jaipur: In a latest development in the pharmacology medico suicide case, the senior professor and head of the pharmacology department at Dr SN Medical College has handed over his resignation to the authorities following allegations of mental harassment and torture against a resident doctor who died by suicide on June 13.

An official notification issued by Dr. B S Jodha, Principal and Controller of Dr. SN Medical College, dated June 20, stated, "With reference to the above-cited subject, Dr ***, Senior Professor, Pharmacology Department, has submitted his resignation from the post of Additional Principal-V as well as Head of the Department, Pharmacology."

Also read- Resident doctor dies after suicide attempt, accuses HoD Pharmacology of harassment in last breath

Medical Dialogues had reported that a resident doctor at SN Medical College, Jodhpur, who allegedly committed suicide after consuming a sulphos tablet, sadly passed away during treatment at SMS Hospital. After his death, the family members of the deceased, a 3rd-year postgraduate student in Pharmacology, refused to accept his body, alleging that he was subjected to mental harassment by the Head of the Pharmacology Department.

Before breathing his last, the doctor gave his dying declaration while lying on the hospital bed. His statements were recorded in a video that went viral on social media. In the video, he named the head of the pharmacology department at SN Medical College and accused him of mental harassment and torture. This resulted in protests from the medical fraternity and the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), Jodhpur, demanding an immediate removal of the HOD, along with a high-level independent inquiry.

Nearly a week after the tragic death, the HOD submitted his resignation. The Indian Medical Association – Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA JDN), Rajasthan chapter, confirmed the development in an Instagram post stating, "HOD, named in the harassment case of Dr **, has resigned from SNMC Jodhpur. This is a step forward—but not the end. IMA JDN demands a full inquiry, justice, and systemic reform."

Previously, resident doctors in Jodhpur launched an indefinite strike, excluding emergency services, demanding justice in the PG medico's suicide case. 

Speaking to IANS, Resident Doctor, General Secretary, Dr. Ranjeet Choudhary said, "The protest hasn’t been ongoing for six days — it officially started yesterday at 8 PM. Prior to that, we held symbolic protests only. Initially, we had a two-hour symbolic pen-down strike, followed by a symbolic black ribbon protest..."

After the Pharmacology HOD resigned from his position, the family of the 30-year-old resident doctor who had been protesting against the department head by refusing to take his body and keeping him at the SMS Hospital's mortuary for one week recently performed his last rites in Nagaur on Saturday.

Following strong protests by resident doctors and pressure from the family, the professor was forced to leave the institution. He has also been removed from all other administrative posts and sent to the Jaipur headquarters. After this step, the family expressed satisfaction, agreeing to accept the medico's body and to cremate him.

In addition, a special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted in this regard. The team will be headed by IAS rank official and will submit their report in the next 45 days. 

As per a TOI news report, resident doctors had gone on strike after the incident, demanding justice for their colleague and action against the HOD. The strike was called off after the college acted against the professor, and the state government assured the family of compensation and a government job for one member of the family.

Joining their duties from Saturday morning, Dr Heera Lal Yadav, President, Resident Doctors' Association Jodhpur (RDAJ), told TOI, "A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted, headed by an IAS rank official. The SIT will investigate the matter and present its report in 45 days."

Also read- Twin Tragedy rocks Rajasthan: Suicide, Electrocution of young doctors sparks statewide outrage