Kerala woman doctor alleges sexual harassment by senior at Ernakulum General Hospital, probe ordered

Kochi: A female doctor has filed a complaint against a senior doctor accusing him of allegedly sexually assaulting her during the house surgency at the Ernakulam General Hospital in 2019.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday directed the Director of the Health Department to investigate the sexual assault complaint of a woman doctor against a senior doctor at Ernakulam General Hospital in 2019.

The minister intervened after noticing the post of the woman doctor on social media. The director of the health department was instructed to report the matter to the police. The health department was instructed to conduct an investigation to find out the details including whether the complaint was concealed. The vigilance wing of the health department will conduct an investigation.

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A young female doctor filed a complaint of sexual assault against a senior doctor working at Ernakulam General Hospital. In 2019, during the house surgency, the doctor forcibly kissed her.

'' Although I had orally informed the hospital authorities the very next day about the incident, no action was taken in this regard. As the accused doctor was a senior medical officer and I feared that I would not get the internship certificate, I could not file a complaint at the police station that day. Now I have posted my ordeals on Facebook as the doctor was transferred from the hospital, the victim stated, reports ETV Bharat.

A verbal complaint was made that day but no action was taken, the complaint stated.

The female doctor who shared these matters through a Facebook post filed a complaint with the director and superintendent of the health department. Health Minister Veena George also directed to investigate the incident and take strict action.

As per a media report in English Mathrubhumi, Kochi Police claim there are legal issues in registering a case based on the complaint issued to the hospital. As a result, the police are awaiting the woman to come forward with a formal complaint.

The woman spoke about the sexual assault that she went through in her Facebook post when the accused was transferred from Ernakulam General Hospital after four years.

Then a complaint was sent to the director of the health department and the superintendent of the hospital through email.

As soon as the incident came to the news, Health Minister Veena George instructed to investigate and take action. The health department has decided to hand over the sexual harassment complaint at the workplace to the police.

The health department will also examine why there was no investigation when the verbal complaint was received in 2019.

At the same time, the accused doctor has also taken steps to get anticipatory bail.