Three students suspended for ragging at BJ Medical College in Pune

Action was taken following a formal complaint made by the first-year resident and his mother. Representation Pic/istock

Three postgraduate students from the orthopaedics department of B J Medical College, affiliated with Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, have been suspended and evicted from the hostel over allegations of ragging a junior resident doctor. The action was taken following a formal complaint made by a first-year resident and his mother against his seniors.

According to the complaint, the junior doctor had been facing harassment from the senior residents for several days. He alleged that the seniors forced him to pour cold or hot water over his head repeatedly. Initially, the student reported the matter to the Head of the Department, Dr Girish Bartakke, and later to the Dean of Sassoon Hospital, Dr Eknath Pawar. However, when no action was taken, the student's family approached the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in Mumbai.

Dr Eknath Pawar said, "I didn't know whether the complaint was first made with Mantralaya or not, but we had received the complaint on Monday. After that, immediately, the meeting was called and the students were suspended."

Following intervention by the state health ministry, the college administration promptly convened a meeting of the anti-ragging committee. A detailed inquiry was conducted late into Tuesday night, during which statements were recorded from both the complainant and the accused students. Based on the investigation report submitted by the committee, disciplinary action was initiated. Dr Pawar said, "We set up an inquiry committee to probe the complaint. Based on the findings, three postgraduate students have been suspended and expelled from the hostel."

The anti-ragging committee comprised 15 to 20 members and followed provisions laid down under the anti-ragging law. It was also revealed that the harassment had continued for about 8-10 days. The mother of the victim also filed a formal complaint, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. Pawar said that the investigation was still going on, and strict action would be taken.