Surat resident doctor dies by suicide after alleged ragging; 4 seniors suspended
A 30-year-old resident doctor at Surat's Government Medical College (GMC) allegedly died by suicide after being subjected to ragging involving verbal abuse and humiliation, officials said on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Harsh Pandya, a first-year postgraduate student in the microbiology department at GMC, which is affiliated with New Civil Hospital, was found hanging in his hostel room on Sunday morning.
Four senior resident doctors Nirali Vasave, Anuj Maheshwari, Dikshita Ghewaria and Hina Bhut who were found involved in the incident have been suspended for six months, an official release said. They have been ordered to vacate the hostel immediately and barred from academic activities during the suspension, GMC Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmbhatt said.
Pandya was subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation by his seniors, according to a report by the college's anti-ragging committee, which investigated his death, Brahmbhatt said.
A high-level committee also issued show-cause notices to microbiology department head Dr Sumaiya Mulla and three other faculty members Dr Sangeeta Rajde, Dr Yogita Mistry and Dr Latika Purohit — the release said.
The anti-ragging committee held a meeting from 8:30 pm Sunday to 4 am Monday, recording statements from senior resident doctors, faculty members, technicians and cleaning staff of the microbiology department, based on complaints from nine first-year resident doctors and the deceased's father, the release said.
"Statements of second- and third-year students as well as faculty members were recorded based on complaints filed by first-year students. Taking these submissions into account and noting that UGC guidelines define ragging to include verbal abuse and humiliation, the committee deliberated on the matter and decided that the deceased was subjected to ragging," Brahmbhatt said.
He said there was no evidence or mention of physical abuse in any of the complaints. "While verbal abuse and humiliation were established in this case, there was no mention or proof of physical abuse in any of the complaints. Consequently, the anti-ragging committee reached a decision based on the inclusion of these specific acts within the definition of ragging," he said.
An inquiry committee comprising members of the anti-ragging squad and institute faculty examined each complaint individually, and an FIR will be registered based on the report, the dean said.
"According to the anti-ragging committee, there is no evidence of physical abuse or that death resulted from such abuse. Based on the complaints and statements, the incidents can be classified as minor ragging, and the appropriate penalties for such violations have been imposed on the students," he added.
The committee's report was unanimously approved by the college council, and a review was conducted to prevent similar incidents in the future. An official report was submitted to the state government early Monday morning, the release said.
Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya had on Sunday directed college authorities to investigate the matter urgently, including through the night, if necessary, to determine the exact cause behind the victim's death. He said a thorough probe was carried out using scientific methods and that the victim's father, who is also a doctor, had been assured that justice would be served.
"This is a deeply distressing incident, especially for the family. A thorough investigation into the suicide has been conducted using scientific methods by the police team, forensic experts, and a medical panel. The deceased's father is also a doctor, and we have assured the family that justice will be served," Pansheriya said in a video statement.
"We instructed the authorities including the anti-ragging committee, the superintendent, and the dean to remain at the Civil Hospital overnight, complete the investigation, and determine the cause of death," he added.
