Our son was being harassed by Suyash Gupta for more than a year. We informed the hospital authorities about the harassment. Yet they turned a deaf ear,” said Dr Shubra Phillip, aunt of 26-year-old Shashwat Pandey who was found murdered on the St Stephen's Hospital campus in Tis Hazari on Friday morning.
Enraged resident doctors too held a protest at the hospital.
“Suyash used to hit Shashwat. Four months ago, Suyash hit Shashwat with a mobile phone in the hospital. Despite repeated complaints, the hospital administration took no action. As resident doctors, we are worried about our safety. If an intern can get murdered within the hospital, how can we remain safeIJ” questioned another resident doctor.
The doctors who were protesting with “Doctors on strike” placards in their hands, were repeatedly asked by senior doctors of the Radiology Department to stop the protest.
“Shashwat was a bright and meritorious student. Regarding the trouble caused by his fellow colleague, we had submitted numerous complaints to the hospital administration and had even filed an FIR with the Delhi Police,” said Dr Phillips.
“Had the hospital taken strict action against Suyash, our son would have been alive. The hospital claimed that they had suspended Suyash Gupta two months back. If that indeed was the case, then why was he part of the WhatsApp group created by the Head of Department. On several occasions, Suyash had harassed Shashwat on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger. Moreover, if Suyash was suspended, why did he still possess his ID card. Just because of the ID card, Suyash got access to the rest room and managed to kill Shashwat,” added Dr Phillip.
Talking to The Pioneer, Shriya Pandey, sister of the victim said, “I spoke to my brother last night. He told me that he was going for night duty and would call me tomorrow morning. My brother was being harassed for a long time. We had complained to the hospital authorities on several occasions. We even reported the matter to the police but the hospital hushed up the matter.”