Senate to decide on punishment for dental doc

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

Panjab University (PU) is bringing the agenda for punishment to dental doctor Dr Devinder Preet Singh for molesting and sexually harassing dental students of Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital in the forthcoming meeting of Senate.

The Senate, which is the governing body of the PU, and also the punishing authority in case of Dr Devinder Preet Singh, is meeting on July 8.

The Panjab University Committee against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) had recommended major penalty against him in its report dated May 25. The major penalties included reduction to a lower post or timescale, or to a lower stage in timescale or removal from service of the university, but not disqualify from future employment or dismissal from service of the university.

Dr Devinder Preet had pleaded guilty to the multiple offences of sexual harassment.

In its findings, the PUCASH had noted that it was 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 guidelines of the Medical Council of India 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 incident took place on March 6, and the complainant came forward the next day. And after that other victims also came forward with complaints.

The committee said it was very clear that the accused had been sending vulgar text messages and making other inappropriate comments and invitations which clearly fall 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 to have sent inadvertently," reads the report.

Examining another complaint from a student, the committee found that Dr Devinder Preet Singh held the hands of an intern from behind engulfing her, and in this case his explanation was not satisfactory.

"The PUCASH was not satisfied with the respondent's (Dr Devinder Preet Singh) explanation regarding holding a glove and simulating milking of a cow and commenting, tumhara dudh aisey nikalta hai," it has been submitted.

He remained silent on the issue of touching the badge on the chest of a girl student which was regarded by the student as inappropriately touching her, says the report.

In another complaint, the committee has found his explanation regarding touching the stomach of a girl student unsatisfactory.

The committee's findings further say Dr Devinder Preet has himself clearly admitted his guilt both verbally and stated in writing 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."

One of the students had complained, "Dr Devinder Preet has been sending me vulgar messages of whose copy/screenshots has been already submitted. He used to send me pornographic videos and message me late night, which was very absurd. When I used to be alone at home, he used to send me messages that he wants to come to my place. He used to ask me out for lunch and also send me cake, teddy with a heart holding in hands on my birthday which was very embarrassing receiving it from a faculty member at that post. All this happened from the period of December 2017 to March 2018."

When the PUCASH asked Dr Devinder Preet whether he had sent any obscene or inappropriate images via WhatsApp to any girl student, he said he might have forwarded it on account of an inadvertent lapse as he had touchscreen phone and "he receives obscene images on a WhatsApp group namely "Dirty Doctors".

Another student complained that he used to ask whom they were dating when they were posted at the Department of Orthodontics in January.

In a first-of-its-kind case, the Senate had on May 27 dismissed assistant professor Komal Singh of the public administration department for repeated acts of sexual harassment. However, he has an option of seeking job outside the PU.

Other items on agenda

• Interestingly, an item of appointment of guilty Dr Devinder Preet Singh as Associate Professor in the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics at the dental hospital of the PU on temporary basis against the vacant post for one year is on the Senate agenda in the information items.
• Amendment in service regulations of the PU in view of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 after which a teacher could be dismissed of sexual harassment by the Senate with a simple majority. As of now, two-third majority is required.
• Punishment against former Senator Munish Verma for cheating the PU while deputing three persons as centre and assistant superintendents in 2014 annual exams.
• Approval of Rs 73 lakh for furnishing two laboratories for accessing Swayam and Swayam Prabha module programme of the MHRD.
• Chief Vigilance Officer's report against former PU professor VK Chopra over visiting an affiliated college for inspection without authorisation.
• Governance Reforms' report will be tabled before the Senate after discussion in the Syndicate.
• Choice-based credit system will be implemented in the PU affiliated colleges from 2019-2020.