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| File picture of SCB students outside Cuttack DCP’s office |
Cuttack, July 1: The government today transferred the head of the pathology department of SCB Medical College and Hospital to the health department in view of the sexual harassment allegations against him.
The junior doctors had threatened go on an agitation at all the three government-run medical colleges from July 3, seeking Sitaram Mohapatra’s suspension and proper punitive action against him.
On June 15, about 15 postgraduate girl students and a few women faculty members had brought the allegation against Mohapatra.
Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said: “A delegation of the students’ association had discussed the matter with him. We have shifted the professor from SCB to Bhubaneswar although the inquiry report is yet to be received. We urge the junior doctors to refrain from their proposed strike.”
The decision of transferring Mohapatra, however, seems not enough to placate the agitating junior doctors, who want nothing less than his suspension.
“We welcome the decision (transfer). But, we want the accused professor to be removed from his service as serious allegations have been levelled against him by the postgraduate students,” said Atman Das, president of the SCB Junior Doctors’ Association.
A final decision on their next course of action will be taken at the general body meeting tomorrow, said the association president.
In a complaint submitted to the State Women Commission, the postgraduate students had accused Mohapatra of detaining girl students for long hours in his official chamber. Besides, they alleged that he used to mentally torture them and also used filthy language against them.
“We have been mentally tortured by the professor on repeated occasions, which was totally unbearable for us,” said a girl student.
Following the allegations, SCB Medical College has constituted a six-member committee to probe into the incident. The committee has recorded the statements of the students. But, it is yet to submit its report.
Members of the junior doctors’ association alleged that the police were yet to take any action in connection with the complaint lodged against the professor at Mangalabag police station.
A case was earlier lodged against Mohapatra under sections 448, 323, 294, 354, 509 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code based on the complaint lodged by the girl students.