MP Hospital superintendent booked for alleged sexual harassment of physiotherapist
Barwani: A superintendent-cum-civil surgeon at Barwani district hospital in Madhya Pradesh has been booked on charges of sexual harassment and stalking after a 32-year-old woman physiotherapist accused him of unwanted physical contact and harassment.
According to the complaint, the woman alleged that the doctor touched her chest with sexual intent and pushed her when she visited his office to sign the attendance register. When she objected, he allegedly asked her to meet him alone outside the hospital that evening, TOI reported.
The physiotherapist further alleged that after her father suffered a brain stroke, she took leave and submitted medical documents. However, her salary for 75 days was allegedly withheld. When she approached the superintendent for leave approval and payment, he allegedly offered to clear her dues if she agreed to be his friend. After she refused, he allegedly began mentally harassing her and instructed her to inform him even when she went to the washroom.
The Barwani Mahila Police registered a case against the doctor under provisions relating to outraging a woman’s modesty, sexual harassment and stalking. The complaint was first registered as a zero FIR in the woman’s native area and later transferred to Barwani. Her statement was recorded on Friday.
The physiotherapist also alleged that in 2023, while she was sleeping outside her father’s house, the doctor grabbed her hand and fled after she raised an alarm.
She had previously approached Barwani Kotwali police, which referred the complaint to the district hospital’s women’s harassment committee for inquiry.
Separately, the doctor’s wife, who is also a doctor, had reportedly complained to Kotwali police that her husband was in contact with another woman and was harassing her.
Denying the allegations, the accused described them as a conspiracy. He said two women’s harassment committees formed through the district collector and the chief medical and health officer were investigating the matter. He also alleged that the complainant had not appeared before the committees despite receiving notices, TOI reported.
The allegations have not yet been established.
