Nagpur: Four resident doctors from the Forensic Medicine Department of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) have accused their Head of Department of serious mental harassment, prompting institution-level, administrative and police action.
The residents submitted a written complaint to the IGGMC Dean and the local MARD unit on November 24. With the matter deemed sensitive, Central MARD was also approached shortly thereafter, as the complainants expressed fear regarding the department’s internal atmosphere.
Copies of the complaint were forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal, seeking immediate intervention and protection.
Sources within MARD said the allegations include inappropriate conduct, intimidation and persistent mental pressure. One male resident doctor is reportedly experiencing acute anxiety following the alleged incidents, leading to demands for counselling support and enhanced safety measures within the department.
This is not the first time the HOD has faced such accusations. In 2015, when he served as a senior faculty member at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, he was similarly accused by several students of mental harassment—triggering campus-wide protests, a resident doctors’ strike and his subsequent transfer. Although an inquiry later cleared him, his reinstatement as HOD at IGGMC had drawn objections from student groups.
In the current case, IGGMC has set up an internal inquiry committee as per protocol. The committee has begun preliminary work, and its findings are awaited. MARD has requested that external members be included to ensure impartiality.
A police complaint has also been filed at Tehsil police station. However, officials told the residents that an FIR cannot be registered immediately, as the accused is a government employee and procedural scrutiny or sanction under service rules may require up to seven days. Despite the delay, the Police Commissioner has assured the complainants that the case will be expedited once formalities are completed, MARD office-bearers said.
Central MARD general secretary Dr Suyash Dhavane and IGGMC MARD president Dr Aditya Thete met the Police Commissioner on Tuesday to press for swift action. Central MARD has described the allegations as “grave and deeply concerning”, demanding a transparent investigation, protection for the complainants and strict action based on the probe’s outcome. The body has warned it may consider statewide mobilisation if necessary.
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