Mumbai: Former Kasturba Hospital Medical Superintendent accused of harassment

Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital’s former Medical Superintendent has been accused by a senior medical officer of prolonged workplace harassment, discrimination, and administrative obstruction. The doctor was recently promoted to Chief Health Medical Superintendent (CHMS) and Head of Accounts (Secondary Health Services), effective October 10, 2025.

The complaint, addressed to Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC) Dr. Vipin Sharma, IAS, alleges that the former MS refused to hand over charge to the newly appointed MS, obstructing official documentation and disregarding a formal municipal order transferring authority. A previous grievance filed two months ago reportedly received no action.

The dispute intensified on October 17, when the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) issued an order appointing the complainant as additional in-charge MS of Kasturba Hospital. The directive instructed the former MS to immediately relinquish all administrative powers. According to the complaint, the former MS continued visiting the hospital at odd hours, signing documents, overseeing administrative tasks, and occupying the official MS cabin, despite the order.

In one instance, the former MS allegedly signed an official document as CHMO (Chief Medical and Health Officer), a title that did not correspond to his current role despite acknowledging the new appointment order. The complainant described this as a deliberate act of humiliation and insubordination.

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Sources claim that this is not the first time the former MS’s conduct has been questioned. Several hospital staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled prior conflicts and alleged bias during his tenure, though no formal inquiry has publicly concluded.

Copies of the complaint have also been sent to the Municipal Commissioner, the State Women’s Commission, and the Bombay High Court, citing violations of the Vishaka Guidelines, which mandate preventive and remedial measures against workplace harassment.

Legal experts say that if proven, the allegations could amount to both a breach of service conduct rules and administrative contempt, given the alleged refusal to follow lawful orders. Advocate Tushar Bhosale noted, “When a government officer refuses to hand over charge after a lawful order, it is not merely insubordination—it disrupts governance. Combined with allegations of harassment, this warrants an independent inquiry under the Vishaka Guidelines and BMC service rules,” reports Mumbai Mirror.

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