Medical Education Dept Upholds Suspension in BJ Medical College Ragging Case, But students Allege Evidence Suppression

Pune: While the Maharashtra Medical Education Department has approved the six-month suspension of three postgraduate students from Pune’s B.J. Medical College (BJMC) over ragging allegations, the four junior students who were mentally and physically harassed by the accused claimed that they have not yet received official suspension notices.

Additionally, the victims and their parents have voiced dissatisfaction with how the case has been handled. They alleged that crucial evidence was ignored in the anti-ragging complaint report, resulting in no serious action being taken against the accused, and as a result, they believe that justice has not been fully served.

Medical Dialogues team had previously reported that BJ Medical College suspended three second-year postgraduate students from the Orthopaedics Department and evicted them from the hostel for allegedly ragging juniors. The action followed a formal complaint received by the college on Monday, alleging that the second-year PG students had subjected four juniors to mental and physical harassment, including the use of threatening language and and even hot waters were allegedly poured on some of them.

Following the suspension of the postgraduate students, the medical college authorities also removed the Head of the Department, who was accused of neither helping the students nor addressing their complaints when they approached him. He was transferred to another department at the medical college.

Also read- BJ Medical College Pune ragging case: HOD Orthopaedics removed, transferred

According to the victim students, they submitted audio and video evidence of physical and verbal abuse by senior students to the college's anti-ragging committee. However, they allege that the committee failed to include this crucial evidence in its report, which is why no FIR has been filed against the accused.

The victims' parents argued that, given the seriousness of the case, merely suspending the three accused students for six months is insufficient. They believe an FIR should have been filed, but no such legal action has been taken so far. Furthermore, the parents claimed that to protect the image of the college, the report does not mention any verbal abuse and assault by the accused doctors.

According to a latest media report by Pune Times Mirror, the victims alleged that they continue to remain in fear since the accused students are not facing appropriate punishment for their actions.

They alleged that the report merely states that they behaved inappropriately with the victims. They further claim that the college has not accepted the findings of the anti-ragging committee, and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has yet to take any action or cancel the academic terms of the accused doctors.

Indicating a possible cover-up of the incident by college administration, the victims said, "To save the reputation of the college, the college has not mentioned that there was any kind of physical abuse against the victim in the report. No action has been taken under the Maharashtra Anti-Ragging Act."

Not only the junior students but also patients who were admitted to Sassoon General Hospital complained of being harassed by the accused PG students. The victims alleged that the accused doctors used to harass patients admitted without attendants in the Orthopaedic ward. They stated that a patient on the 10th floor, had lodged a complaint against Dr *** (accused) with the college administration, but no action was taken in response.

Further, the students also allege that the college has failed to implement basic measures to prevent ragging. No security guards have been deployed near the rooms of junior doctors, and there are no CCTV cameras installed in the area. Anti-ragging squads have not conducted visits to check on junior students, and no guidance has been provided on how to report complaints against resident doctors. Additionally, the victims claim that the college has not followed the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Dr Eknath Pawar, dean of BJMC and Sassoon General Hospital (SGH), told Hindustan Times, "The medical education department has upheld their decision to suspend the three PG students. A letter regarding the same was received on Monday. Following this, a subsequent suspension order has been issued by us."

"The three students have been suspended and will continue to remain suspended for the entire six months. During this period of suspension, they have been prohibited from participating in medical conferences. They cannot represent BJMC at any medical conference. All three have to pay a fine of ₹1 lakh and have been expelled from the hostel for the period of suspension. Besides, they have been prohibited from entering the hostel and college premises during the suspension period," he said.

While talking to Pune Times Mirror, Dr Pawar said, "I have implemented all recommendations by the anti-ragging committee on the next day when the committee gave its report. We rusticated the accused students immediately. We have not filed an FIR as there was no recommendation. The Anti-ragging committee has given recommendations based on the act."

"As far as security measures are concerned, the proposal has been sent to the state government. Like all medical colleges, we have requested increased security. We are currently waiting for the government's response on this," he added.

Also read- Ragging at Pune's BJ Medical College: Orthopaedics PG medicos Suspended, expelled from hostel