KGMU Paediatrics resident alleges sexual harassment; Additional Professor suspended

Lucknow: An additional professor in the department of Paediatrics at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has been suspended after a junior resident doctor filed a complaint with the university administration alleging sexual harassment, officials said on Thursday.

The administration has referred the matter to its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for a probe. This is the third such complaint reported at the institution since December last year.

KGMU spokesperson K K Singh, in a video statement, said an MD student on Wednesday alleged that a professor of her department sexually harassed her at the workplace, news agency PTI reported.

As per a media report in the TOI, officials said the committee's preliminary findings found the allegations to be true. The accused faculty member was placed under suspension to ensure that the investigation was not influenced. He was also barred from entering the department and attached to the office of the dean of medicine.

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"Taking serious cognisance of the complaint and to ensure a fair inquiry, the accused has been suspended and barred from visiting the department during the investigation," Singh said.

Further action would be taken based on the findings of ICC, he added.

Speaking to TOI, KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh said, "The accused allegedly called the resident doctor to his chamber on the pretext of work, held her hand, and molested her. The complainant later informed a woman faculty member and filed a formal complaint, after which the inquiry was ordered."

The development comes only a month after a doctor at the university was arrested over allegations of sexual exploitation and religious conversion raised by a fellow doctor, following which the institute recommended his dismissal.

In a separate instance, an intern was arrested last month in connection with an alleged rape and blackmail case involving a nursing student.

Also Read:KGMU doctor arrested for alleged sexual assault and forced conversion