Sexual harassment case jolts Nahan medical college

A serious case of sexual harassment has surfaced at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan, after a security guard was accused of misconduct by a trainee doctor. The matter escalated when 20 other intern doctors also came forward with a signed complaint to the college principal, alleging similar behaviour. Following an internal inquiry conducted by the college’s Sexual Harassment Committee, the case was formally forwarded to the police.

Principal of the college Dr SS Dogra, while speaking to The Tribune, confirmed that the incident was first brought to the notice of the Head of Orthopaedics Department on September 5 by trainee doctors and their association. The complaint was subsequently reported to the Joint Director of the college, who suspended the accused security guard on the same day.

Dr Dogra said that the matter reached his office the following Monday, after which he directed the Sexual Harassment Committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Written complaints from the trainees were also submitted, but orders for probe had already been issued by then.

Taking cognizance of the committee’s findings, the police have registered a case. Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, Nishchint Singh Negi, confirmed that a complaint was formally lodged with the police on September 7 by the HOD of the ENT Department, who is also chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH Act, 2013. “A total of 21 trainee doctors have alleged that the security guard indulged in inappropriate conduct, objectionable remarks and indecent acts amounting to sexual harassment,” the SP stated.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under Sections 75, 78, and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials further informed that the statements of the aggrieved trainee doctors will be recorded before the magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Police officials confirmed that necessary legal formalities are being completed and further probe was underway.