IGGMC HoD Forensic Medicine found guilty of sexual harassment, confirms inquiry panel
Nagpur: The Head of the Forensic Medicine Department at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital (IGGMC or Mayo Hospital), who was accused of sexually harassing a first-year female postgraduate medico, has been found guilty by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) following a fact-finding inquiry.
The 14-member committee concluded that the allegations raised by three junior resident doctors, including a woman doctor, were "true, serious and constituted sexual harassment." The committee has recommended that the senior professor be moved out of the institution to ensure a safe and fear-free environment for the complainants.
Also read- IGGMC HoD Forensic Medicine booked over sexual harassment allegations
Medical Dialogues had reported that the professor was booked after the police registered an FIR based on the medico's complaint. According to the FIR, the PG medico accused the professor of mentally tormenting her, making inappropriate gestures, and offering undue favours over the past nine months. She claimed that when she refused to comply with his requests, the professor insulted and humiliated her, and even allegedly threatened to cancel her PG seat. The sexual and mental harassment reportedly continued for a long time, and when she could no longer bear it, she approached the police.
According to the complainant, the ordeal started between February 3 and November 19, 2025, when the professor allegedly began repeatedly troubling her at work. She claimed he would call her to his cabin frequently, ask her to sit close to him, and speak in a low tone to make her uncomfortable.
In one instance, she claimed that the professor asked her to take her apron off when he called her into his cabin to check her synopsis. She also alleged that he instructed her to come to work in a “special manner,” which she found inappropriate and humiliating.
The doctor further said that whenever she refused to follow his directions, the professor publicly scolded and insulted her. He allegedly warned her that he could end her career if she did not listen to him. She also stated that he would repeatedly belittle her in front of colleagues.
The doctor alleged that Dr **** passed unsolicited remarks about her clothes and makeup, apart from touching her inappropriately during an autopsy procedure at the mortuary in front of other doctors.
In her statement, the doctor alleged that she is not the only victim, but three other junior doctors have also faced similar harassment.
During the investigation of the doctor's statement, the committee found that the professor placed his hand on the woman resident doctor's back during an evening autopsy at the mortuary. This was captured on CCTV on November 7. In the footage, the doctor was visibly uncomfortable with the professor's gesture.
The ICC carried out its investigation between November 24 and December 4 and submitted its confidential report to Dean Dr Ravi Chavhan on December 4. In the report, the committee also suggested establishing a separate high-level inquiry committee for issues beyond its scope.
The panel also reviewed an audio clip submitted by the complainant, containing alleged personal and inappropriate remarks by the HoD. The ICC held that such comments, made by a male teacher to a female student while checking academic work, fall squarely under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, said sources.
As per TOI sources, the committee noted other concerns, including pressure on the junior doctor to write a letter refusing a particular guide, undocumented changes in autopsy duty rosters, and visible stress and behavioural changes in the complainant.
