Suspension of Additional Professor at KGMU Following Harassment Allegations
Background of the Incident
Lucknow: An additional professor in the Paediatrics department at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has been suspended amid allegations of sexual harassment made by a junior resident doctor. The university administration received the complaint and has referred the case to its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for an investigation.
Details of the Complaint
KGMU spokesperson K K Singh stated in a video statement that an MD student claimed that the professor harassed her in the workplace. This incident marks the third reported complaint of its kind at the institution since December of the previous year.
Preliminary Findings and Immediate Actions
According to a report from the Times of India, the ICC’s preliminary findings have indicated that the allegations hold merit. Consequently, the accused professor has been suspended to prevent any potential interference with the investigation. He has also been barred from entering the department and is now assigned to the office of the dean of medicine.
Institution’s Response
Singh emphasized the university’s commitment to addressing the complaint seriously, stating that the suspension is aimed at ensuring a fair inquiry. Further actions will depend on the ICC’s findings.
Additional Context
In an interview with the Times of India, Singh elaborated on the allegations, noting that the accused allegedly summoned the resident doctor to his office under the guise of work, where he reportedly held her hand and molested her. Following the incident, the complainant informed a female faculty member and subsequently filed a formal complaint, leading to the inquiry.
This recent incident follows a troubling pattern at KGMU, as just a month prior, a doctor was arrested on charges of sexual exploitation and religious conversion by a colleague, prompting a recommendation for his dismissal. Additionally, an intern faced arrest last month in connection with a separate case involving alleged rape and blackmail of a nursing student.