UP medical college recommends suspending nursing tutor over sexual harassment; police complaint filed

NEW DELHI: Two girl students of Government Nursing College, Jalaun associated with the Government Medical College, Jalaun, Orai, Uttar Pradesh, have accused Bhanu Sharma, a nursing tutor, of sexual harassment. Following an inquiry, Bhanu Sharma has been recommended for termination of service and a police complaint has been filed against him.

“Sexual and Other Harassments of Girl Students at Government Nursing College, Jalaun, Orai, Uttar Pradesh, and recommendation of the Principal, Govt. Medical College, Jalaun to Director, Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh to Terminate the services of the Nursing Tutor Bhanu Sharma for alleged sexual harassment as confirmed by 2 girl students, and related Police Complaint,” the official press release read.

According to the official press release, the Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) received an anonymous complaint on January 3, 2025, from the female students of the institute about the ongoing sexual, financial and casteist harassment happening in the institute for a long time.

Police complaint lodged

Following the confirmation of the allegations, Sharma has been recommended to the director of medical education, Uttar Pradesh for the termination of service for touching inappropriately at least two female students, who testified in front of the inquiry committee.

Moreover, the principal has also lodged a police complaint against Bhanu Sharma. He has also been instructed to vacate the government residential premises within two days from the date of the order.

As per the official press release, the principal has recommended disciplinary action against the principal and vice-principal of the institute for promoting the culture of ragging and creating an environment which lacks discipline and transparency in the college.

Surge in ragging, harassment complaints

“This complaint is a testament to the increasing number of ragging and sexual harassment complaints being received from the Medical Colleges all across India. 295 of the 1086 complaints received in 2024 by the National Anti-Ragging Helpline were from Medical Colleges (27%), whereas number of medical students in India is not more than 2% of the total students in hostels. The Union Health Minister should take cognizance of all this. Another fact is the 17 Suicides reported by the Helpline, which is equal to the suicides at Kota in 2024, but nobody talks of these suicides”, said Gaurav Singhal, vice-president of SAVE.

“Every institute should take inspiration from the swift action taken in this case. We have seen colleges inclined towards covering up the incidents and protecting the culprit for want of favours. The parents should also discuss such cases with their children to sensitize them towards such menaces. We also appreciate the girls who mustered courage to come out and complain.”, said Meera Kaura Patel, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court.