MARD flags alleged sexual harassment, academic misconduct at IGGMC; seeks POSH inquiry

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has raised a serious complaint against alleged sexual harassment, academic misconduct, and mental harassment of a resident doctor by a forensic medicine and toxicology professor at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur.

In a written complaint by the resident doctors of the FMT department of the Nagpur medical college, the association noted, a first-year female Junior Resident (JR) has alleged incidents of sexual harassment including coercion related to inappropriate outfit and misuse of academic authority.

Together, the residents have put allegations of persistent mental harassment, verbal abuse, intimidation, and academic threats, extortion and blackmail, used for personal errands, resulting in a hostile environment for the doctors which is impacting their well-being.

“Such incidents constitute a grave violation of the POSH Act, 2013, institutional ethics, and the dignity and safety of resident doctors,” the MARD observed.

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Demands of resident doctors

To ensure justice, transparency, and safety, the doctors’ group said that it has made the following demands before the IGGMC administration and the chief minister of Maharashtra:

• All digital evidence such as WhatsApp messages, call recordings, emails and CCTV logs must be preserved immediately by the administration. (Immediate securing of CCTV footage dated November 9, from 4 pm to 7:50 pm.)
• Formation of an enquiry committee as per Section 4 of the POSH Act within seven days.
• The enquiry report must be submitted as per the guidelines mandated under the POSH Act.
• The committee must be chaired by a retired IAS officer or Judge, with no member from the medical fraternity.
• Minimum 50% female representation in the committee.
• No committee member should be from the Vidarbha region.
• Immediate suspension of the professor till completion of enquiry.
• Assurance and enforcement of safety measures for all whistleblowers.
• Police protection to all resident doctors who have filed an official complaint.

The Maharashtra doctors’ body has warned of intensifying the protests and initiating an indefinite strike if the demands are not met. “Central MARD has extended full support to all resident doctors involved in this matter and is committed to ensuring swift, unbiased and transparent action,” it further stated.