Panel: Dentist molested pupils

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26

Finding Dr Devinder Preet Singh guilty of sexual harassing students of Dr HS Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, the Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) has recommended major penalty against him for “serious misconduct”.

In its report, the 10-member panel, headed by Prof Manvinder Kaur, submitted, “The PUCASH found the respondent (Dr Devinder Preet Singh) guilty in multiple counts of sexual harassment. Taken together, these constitute serious misconduct under the Service Rules of Panjab University and warrant a major penalty.” 

The major penalty included either demotion or dismissal. 

The report was submitted to Vice Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover on May 25.

As per the report, accessed by Chandigarh Tribune, Dr Devinder Preet Singh, a senior lecturer at the dental institute, has pleaded guilty before the committee. “In response to all complaints and queries forwarded to me by the committee, I want to offer my unconditional apology to my dear students and will take care that I do not repeat it in future,” submitted Dr Devinder Preet Singh. He, however, refused to cross-examine any of the students related to any of these complaints.

In its findings, the PUCASH has noted that it is clear that he had physically touched the primary complainant inappropriately on her chest on the pretext of examining her. “He did so in full knowledge of his lack of qualification for the same and awareness of the MCI guidelines that a male doctor can examine a female patient only in the presence of her relative or a female staff member,” reads the report. 

The committee members found that the senior lecturer was aware of the presence of a staff nurse on the same floor as his office and of other faculty members, who have a degree in medicine. He did not call any of them.

The committee stated that the accused had been sending vulgar text messages and making other inappropriate comments and invitations, which clearly fell within the definition of sexual harassment as prescribed by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. “He also admitted to having sent an obscene video to one of the students, which he claimed was sent inadvertently,” reads the report.

Examining another complaint from a student, the committee found that Dr Devinder Preet Singh had held the hands of an intern from behind engulfing her. “The PUCASH was not satisfied with the respondent’s explanation about holding a glove and simulating milking of a cow,” it has been submitted.

In another complaint, Dr Devinder Preet Singh’s explanation regarding touching the stomach of a girl student failed to satisfy the PUCASH. As per the report, Dr Devinder Preet Singh stated that “I want to plead guilty but the severity of the guilt is not of the level as has been placed by the complainants before the PUCASH”.

The Senate, which is the top governing body of the PU, is the punishing authority in this case.