Junior Resident Doctor’s Complaint Leads to Internal Probe at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
In a significant development, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research has found a Head of Department (HoD) guilty of misusing his position of authority during an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment filed by a first-year junior female resident doctor.
According to the committee’s final report, while the specific allegations related to sexually coloured remarks could not be conclusively established based on the “preponderance of probabilities,” the overall conduct of the HoD amounted to professional misconduct warranting disciplinary and administrative action.
ICC Says HoD Violated Professional Boundaries
The eight-member panel was constituted after the junior resident doctor from a newly established department accused her HoD of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Reports stated that the HoD did not respond to the recommendations made against him.
Out of eight allegations examined during the inquiry, two were found to be fully proved, while two others were partially substantiated.
One of the allegations established by the committee was that the HoD discussed the complainant’s thesis topic, leave matters, and departmental issues with her estranged husband, who is also employed at JIPMER, without her consent.
The committee observed that such actions constituted “an unwarranted intrusion into her academic autonomy and personal domain.”
Allegations of Inappropriate Personal Remarks Partially Proved
The committee also partially upheld allegations related to the HoD’s inappropriate remarks about the junior doctor’s personal life and marital status, along with conduct that allegedly caused her mental distress.
As per the complaint, the HoD allegedly purchased pomegranate juice for the doctor and remarked that he did so because she menstruates every month, adding that he treated her similarly to how he treated his wife.
The complainant further alleged that the HoD claimed he regularly consumed pineapple juice to enhance his sexual activity.
However, the ICC stated that evidence regarding these specific allegations remained “evenly balanced” and did not sufficiently favour either party.
Committee Notes Abuse of Authority and Contradictory Statements
In its concluding observations, the committee stated that although the HoD claimed his actions were unintentional and motivated by concern for the complainant, the impact of his conduct could not be ignored.
“The respondent’s conduct resulted in an abuse of position of authority, violation of professional boundaries, inappropriate interference in the complainant’s personal and academic autonomy, and conduct unbecoming of a faculty member occupying a supervisory role,” the report noted.
The committee also highlighted that the HoD gave multiple inconsistent and contradictory versions of events during different stages of the inquiry, whereas the junior doctor’s statements remained largely consistent throughout the proceedings.
ICC Recommends Disciplinary Proceedings and Safeguards
The committee has recommended initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the HoD under applicable service rules.
Additionally, it advised continuation of administrative safeguards to ensure that the accused faculty member has no supervisory or evaluative authority over the complainant. The panel also stressed the need for protection measures to prevent any form of retaliation against the junior doctor.
Growing Focus on Workplace Safety in Medical Institutions
The case has once again brought attention to concerns regarding workplace safety, power imbalance, and professional conduct within medical institutions. It also underscores the importance of effective Internal Complaints Committees in addressing grievances raised by resident doctors and healthcare professionals.
