Mumbai: The KEM Hospital in Mumbai has suspended a senior physician – a professor in its forensic medicine and toxicology department – after allegations of sexual harassment were raised against him by six women doctors. The accused has been charged under Sections 74, 75 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, that deal with unwelcome physical contact, advances, or sexually coloured remarks, use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty.
The hospital has not only barred the professor from attending work, but also taking up any work linked to his profession privately. The six women doctors lodged a formal complaint against the professor at the Bhoiwada police station. They also submitted a written complaint to hospital authorities.
The six apparently visited the professor’s home a day before lodging a complaint with the hospital and informed his wife of her husband’s alleged misdeeds. The professor’s wife told them that she would speak to her husband and get him to stop his misbehavior.
The police claimed that they sent teams to the professor’s residence within the KEM Hospital campus on three occasions but they found the door locked. The phone of the accused is also switched off. Finally, the police pasted a notice outside the professor’s house, directing him to appear for questioning in the matter.
The hospital has also started its own internal probe under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. Meanwhile, a lawyer for the accused has moved court seeking anticipatory bail for his client.
Hospital dean Dr Sangeeta Rawat told TOI that a similar complaint had been lodged against the professor in 2021. However, the complainant in that matter had left the country thereafter and did not pursue the case further.
