Tiruvannamalai Medical College Medicine HoD transferred after nursing student alleges sexual harassment

Tamil Nadu: A 20-year-old BSc Nursing student at Government Tiruvannamalai Medical College and Hospital has accused the Professor and Head of the Department of General Medicine of sexually harassing and verbally abusing her. The professor was transferred to Nagapattinam Government Medical College two days after the student filed a police complaint against him.

The student alleged that the professor verbally abused her and touched her inappropriately. She had initially approached the college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), filing a complaint around two weeks before approaching the police. However, she alleged that the committee failed to conduct a proper inquiry into her complaint.

According to TNIE report, the victim further alleged that one of the ICC members told her, “He might have touched you like a father.” When she subsequently approached the college dean, she was reportedly informed that an inquiry was already underway. The student also claimed that the professor threatened her, saying he knew several political leaders.

She further alleged that other students had also faced harassment from the professor but were hesitant to file complaints.

Following her police complaint on November 3, the Tiruvannamalai All Women Police Station registered a case under Sections 75(1) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998.

Meanwhile, police said the professor had complained of chest pain and was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital at around 7.30 pm on November 3. He was discharged the next day. A police official confirmed that the investigation was continuing and that the professor had not been arrested.

Speaking to TNIE, Director of Medical Education and Research, Dr A Aravind said the allegations were yet to be proved and that the doctor had therefore not been suspended. Two teams had been formed so far, he said. He added that there had been minor complaints against him in the past, but no one had lodged a formal complaint.

The college dean confirmed the professor's transfer to Nagapattinam Government Medical College but declined to comment further.