Kolkata Medical College departmental head accused of molestion by students, panel refers case to ICC

Kolkata: A senior departmental head at Medical College Kolkata, also known as Calcutta Medical College, who had been accused of molestation and misconduct by the students, will face an inquiry by the college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

The allegations surfaced last month after a group of students submitted a written complaint to the principal on November 21, stating that the departmental head had behaved inappropriately with them.

In response, the college formed a seven-member committee to examine the charges and submit a report. After completing its review, the panel submitted its report on Tuesday and recommended that the matter be handed over to the ICC. The decision was taken due to the seriousness of the allegations and after reviewing the evidence presented before them.

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The Telegraph reported that the students staged a protest outside the principal's office, demanding immediate action against the accused head. Following the unrest, the department head stepped down from his position.

The ICC is expected to meet soon to begin its investigation. As per rules, workplaces with 10 or more employees must have an ICC to look into sexual harassment complaints.

An official in this regard told The Telegraph, "The seven-member committee has referred the matter to the college’s internal complaints committee. It was done considering the gravity of the allegations and the evidence presented before the committee."

College officials had then said that they could not ask the ICC to probe the matter since the complaint was lodged by a students’ body rather than an individual. Officials had said the seven-member committee can refer it to the ICC.

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