AIIMS removes dept head after nurse’s harassment complaint reaches PMO

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has removed Dr AK Bisoi from his position as the Head of the Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) Department, following a complaint of harassment filed against him by a female nursing staff.

The decision came after the AIIMS Nurses’ Union lodged a formal complaint with both the AIIMS Director and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), alleging that Dr Bisoi had repeatedly used “vulgar, unprofessional and derogatory language” towards women nursing staff and created an atmosphere of intimidation in the workplace.

In an official memorandum issued on October 11, the AIIMS administration stated: “In view of the complaint dated September 30, 2025 received from a female nursing officer of the Department of CTVS against Dr AK Bisoi, Professor and Head of Department (HoD) of the CTVS, and the representations in that regard received from the AlIMS Nurses’ Union dated September 30, 2025, October 4, 2025 and October 7, 2025, the Director has assigned the charge of HoD of the CTVS to Dr V Devagourou, Professor of CTVS, with immediate effect, till further orders.”

According to sources, an inquiry committee has been constituted to probe the allegations.

In the complaint submitted to the PMO on October 9, the Nurses’ Union alleged that Dr Bisoi had been using “abusive, vulgar, and sexist language” against female staff members during hospital rounds in the ICU, wards, and operation theatres.

The complaint further alleged that Dr Bisoi had intimidated nursing officers, threatening to “teach a lesson” to those who had complained about his conduct and remove the complainant from her clinical posting.

“It is deeply shameful that female employees are being harassed, humiliated and intimidated in the aforesaid manner,” the union wrote, calling for strict action against the senior faculty member.

The complaint also referenced earlier disciplinary actions against Dr Bisoi. In March 2009, he was suspended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for alleged unlawful acts. In 2019, he was accused of harassment of female nurses and objecting to the “Namaste Campaign” initiated by the hospital’s Infection Control Team. Though a committee was formed to investigate the matter, no stringent action was taken at that time, the union claimed.

The union, in its letter, drew attention to the Vishaka guidelines framed by the Supreme Court in 1997, which mandate all workplaces to have mechanisms in place for addressing sexual harassment complaints. The letter also cited the Prime Minister’s public emphasis on ‘Nari Shakti’ (women’s empowerment) and the need to eliminate attitudes that demean women.

Quoting the Prime Minister’s 2022 Independence Day speech, the union wrote, “Your statements on women, or Nari Shakti, emphasise empowerment, leadership and the role of women as key drivers of national progress…But this kind of unfortunate incident and the abusive behavior of an HoD of the CTVS Department of AIIMS, New Delhi, is really disheartening.”

The union urged the administration to take immediate action against Dr AK Bisoi. The union demanded his suspension and removal from the post of Head of the CTVS Department to prevent further intimidation and misuse of authority. It also called for a time-bound, impartial inquiry through an independent committee to investigate all complaints of harassment, intimidation and misconduct. Additionally, the union sought protection for informants, complainants, and victims, ensuring they could testify without fear of retaliation.