- Special panel finds evidence of mental harassment after recording statements of more than 80 first-year resident doctors
- Four senior doctors suspended with immediate effect following Anti-Ragging Committee’s preliminary findings
- HOD and teaching staff served show-cause notices for alleged failure to ensure safety and proper supervision
- Health Minister Praful Pansheriya issues stern warning: “Harassing juniors is not our culture”
- Minister makes emotional appeal to junior doctors: “Do not be afraid—contact me or the State Government directly”
NE HEALTH & LEGAL BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 10
A 24-hour probe into the tragic death of a first-year resident doctor at Surat New Civil Hospital has triggered swift disciplinary action, with four senior doctors suspended and the concerned Head of Department and teaching staff served show-cause notices following findings of ragging and mental harassment.
Health Minister Prful Pansheriya, taking serious note of the incident, ordered immediate action, including a panel inquiry and forensic post-mortem examination. The special investigation committee constituted on his directions completed its inquiry within 24 hours, examining the circumstances surrounding the death and recording statements from more than 80 first-year junior doctors.
According to the preliminary findings of the Anti-Ragging Committee, the deceased doctor had allegedly been subjected to repeated mental harassment by senior doctors. While no suicide note was found, statements recorded from fellow students reportedly indicated instances of mental torture and harassment.
Four senior doctors suspended after 24-hour probe
The investigation committee, constituted following the Health Minister’s strict directions, worked through the night to complete the inquiry.
The committee recorded statements from more than 80 first-year resident doctors, beginning at around 9.30 p.m. and continuing through the morning, before submitting its findings.
Based on the preliminary report of the Anti-Ragging Committee, four senior doctors allegedly directly responsible for inflicting mental harassment have been suspended with immediate effect.
The action marks a strong disciplinary response from the State Government to allegations of ragging and harassment within a medical education environment.
HoD, teaching staff face show-cause notices
The action has also extended to institutional accountability.
The concerned Head of Department and members of the teaching staff at the medical college have been served show-cause notices, with the authorities seeking explanations over the alleged failure to ensure the safety of junior doctors and maintain proper supervision and administration.
The notices underline that accountability in such cases cannot be confined only to those directly accused of harassment, with institutional authorities also expected to ensure a safe academic and professional environment for resident doctors.
‘Harassing juniors is not our culture’
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya issued a stern warning against ragging and mental harassment in medical institutions.
“Insulting or mentally harassing junior doctors is not our culture,” he said, warning that the State Government would continue to take the strictest possible action against anyone involved in such reprehensible and damaging conduct.
Appealing to senior doctors to demonstrate discipline and humanity, Pansheriya cautioned that doctors who enter the medical profession to serve society must understand the devastating consequences of such behaviour.
He further warned that “the stigma of ragging can completely ruin their entire life and future career”, urging senior doctors to maintain professionalism, compassion and responsibility towards their juniors.
‘Do not be afraid—contact me directly’
In one of the strongest messages accompanying the disciplinary action, the Minister directly addressed junior doctors and students who may face harassment, ragging or threats within medical institutions.
He said that no student should feel helpless or contemplate taking any extreme step if subjected to harassment, ragging or threats of being failed in examinations.
“If any senior harasses you, indulges in ragging or threatens to fail you in examinations, there is absolutely no need for any student to remain confused or take any serious step. In such a situation, without fear, immediately contact your Dean, the college authorities, or directly contact me or the State Government,” Pansheriya said.
Assuring students of the Government’s support, he added that the State Government would stand with them for their safety and a bright future.
The Minister’s appeal seeks to reinforce reporting mechanisms and encourage students to speak up rather than suffer harassment silently.
Minister speaks to bereaved father, assures justice
Expressing deep sorrow over the death of the resident doctor, Pansheriya also spoke to the deceased doctor’s father over the telephone and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
The Minister assured the family that the State Government would stand with them with a humanitarian approach during this difficult hour.
He further assured the family that no person found responsible for the incident would be spared and that the deceased doctor and his family would receive complete justice.
The swift inquiry and disciplinary action have sent a strong message that alleged ragging and mental harassment within medical institutions will be treated as a serious issue requiring both individual accountability and institutional scrutiny.
