Maha State Commission for Women notice to Nair Hospital seeking explanation on action taken against accused Associate Prof

Mumbai: After the suspension of an associate professor who was accused of sexually harassing an MBBS student, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) issued a notice requesting details regarding the actions taken against the professor from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The notice was issued after receiving a letter from Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh on September 14. In the letter, Shaikh criticized Dr Sudhir Medhekar, the Dean of Nair Hospital, for being lenient towards the individuals involved in the case. 

Also read- Nair Hospital Associate Prof suspended for allegedly sexually harassing MBBS student

As per an Indian express news report, He demanded both the Dean's suspension and a detailed investigation. Acting on Shaikh's concerns, the MSCW approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently, requesting further clarification on the matter.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the said associate professor of BYL Nair Hospital was suspended after he was found guilty in a sexual harassment allegations complaint filed by an MBBS student who is also an athlete were proven true. The BMC-run Local Complaints Committee (LCC) - BMC's Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee which investigated the sexual harassment complaint issued a series of recommendations including the immediate transfer of the professor until the student finishes her studies.

The incident reportedly occurred when the student was summoned twice to the associate professor’s cabin under the pretext of discussing her sports activities. During these encounters, the professor allegedly touched her inappropriately, claiming it was part of a medical examination. He then asked her to take off her apron, placed a hand on her shoulder, and talked about the colour of her lips. The student also reported that he made inappropriate comments, which left her feeling uncomfortable.

Initially, she approached an assistant professor for help, but when no action was taken, she escalated the matter to the hospital’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Dissatisfied with their response, the student took her complaint to the LCC.

Following an investigation, the LCC found 'Truth' in the student’s allegations and issued a series of recommendations. In a confidential report submitted on September 5, the LCC advised the hospital to immediately transfer the associate professor to prevent any further interaction with the complainant. It also directed that the accused should not be allowed to serve as an examiner in any of her assessments.

In addition to this, the committee also mandated that the professor’s next payable salary increment be held off for a year and a formal written warning be given to him. These decisions were taken in a meeting held on Aug 26 but were conveyed in writing to all the parties concerned

Another associate professor, to whom the student first approached for help but received none will receive a warning letter and has been ordered to undergo counselling by the committee.

The LCC’s investigation also revealed delays in the hospital’s response to the case as the hospital’s dean, Dr Sudhir Medhekar, has come under scrutiny for the slow pace of action. It found that the two accused professors were removed from academic duties and reassigned to administrative roles.

Also read- BMC's POSH committee finds Nair Hospital Associate Prof guilty of sexually harassing MBBS medico