TN: Assistant Professor Forensics at Dharmapuri Government Medical College suspended over sexual harassment charge

Coimbatore: The Assistant Professor of Forensics of Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital was suspended after he was accused of sexual harassment. The announcement was made by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, after a batch of 53 students, accused him of inappropriate behaviour and harassment. 

The second-year batch of 53 students accused the doctor of sexual harassment in a signed letter to Dean K. Amuthavalli, following which the dean formed a three-member inquiry committee. The doctor has been identified as 54-year-old R. Sathish Kumar. 

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After the inquiry team submitted their reports, the minister told the media that the inquiry report confirmed the allegations against the doctor, adding, "As we speak, assistant professor Sathish Kumar has been suspended, and the order will be out shortly. In addition, departmental action will also be initiated against him."  The minister observed that they would not show any leniency to such acts. 

The accused, who is a pediatrician, also runs a clinic in Paapireddipatty. A video of the doctor where he was seen in a sexual act with a young woman in a medical clinic had recently circulated on social media. An official told the Hindu, "Action ought to have been taken against the doctor back then, given that private clinics are governed by the Clinical Establishment Act. All clinics fall under the control of the Joint Director, and action should have been initiated by the JD's office. But no action was taken, leading up to the current incident."

Meanwhile, the health minister who was directly reading from the inquiry report while making the announcement of suspension named the complainant as well, which was later redacted. 

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