HC allows doctor accused in suicide case to sit for exam; issues contempt notice to Principal, Kakatiya Medical College
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has issued notices to the principal of Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, for contempt of court after the college refused to allow a postgraduate medical student to appear for his final MD examinations. The court had previously directed the college to permit him to sit for the exams but the principal reportedly denied him permission, leading to a contempt petition being filed by the student.
The doctor who is accused of harassing another doctor has been at the center of a controversial incident that led to the doctor's death by suicide. The victim had reportedly been subjected to persistent ragging and mental harassment by him. Allegations surfaced that he frequently targeted her, scolding her for various issues, which allegedly contributed to her psychological distress, reports the daily. Previously Medical Dialogues reported that a junior doctor pursuing PG in Anaesthesiology allegedly attempted suicide by taking some injections, reportedly after being harassed by one of her seniors. She wasn’t even permitted to use the washroom, her father claimed.
According to the college's contention, there is evidence in the form of WhatsApp chats in which she expressed her anguish to her colleagues. She wrote about being targeted and frequently scolded by him leading to the extreme decision of ending her life. This prompted the medical college to take action, suspending him for one year based on the findings of the anti-ragging committee.
The High Court, in an earlier ruling, directed the college to follow the principle of natural justice before making a final decision on his suspension. As a result, the college organized a hearing with its anti-ragging committee, which subsequently upheld the suspension based on the panel's findings. However, the High Court set aside the suspension decision, noting that he had already been barred from attending for over six months.
As per the recent media reports by Deccan Chronicle, the contention of the college is that he had joined the MD anaesthesia PG course for the academic year 2021-22 at Kakatiya medical college but had not completed the requisite period of study and training and, therefore, he cannot be permitted to appear for the university’s final examinations in accordance with NMC regulations and university rules.
When he again approached the court for directions to the college, the Telangana High Court, upon reviewing his attendance and academic records, directed the college to allow him to sit for the examinations in accordance with the university rules. However, when the principal of Kakatiya Medical College refused to accept his application for the exams, the student filed a contempt petition against the principal.
