The police on Friday said that authorities at BYL Nair Hospital are liable to face action if inquiries establish that they did not act despite knowing about the alleged harassment suffered by Payal Tadvi, who ended her life this week.
Tadvi, a second-year resident doctor at the hospital’s gynaecology department, was found dead in her hostel room on Wednesday. Her mother had filed a complaint with the Agripada police on Thursday against three third-year resident doctors for alleged harassment. The police booked them for abetment to suicide under the Indian Penal Code and other sections under the Ragging Act and the Atrocities Act. On Friday, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) suspended the three accused doctors: Hema Ahuja, Bhakti Mehare and Ankita Khandelwal.
According to sources, Tadvi’s mother had on May 10 written to hospital authorities drawing their attention to the harassment her daughter faced at the hands of the three accused. In the letter, she also requested that Tadvi be transferred to another department.
Abhinash Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III), said inquiries are on to find out if Tadvi faced harassment and authorities were aware of mother’s letter. He said, “If inquiries establish that authorities did not take action on the complaints of harassment, then they will be liable for action under the Ragging Act.” Mr. Kumar said that detailed statements would be taken from Tadvi’s parents and the three accused resident doctors would be interrogated.
The police said that the letter stated that the three accused had been harassing Tadvi ever since she joined the hospital. Tadvi’s mother also mentioned in the letter that when she had been admitted to the hospital for cancer treatment, she witnessed her daughter being ragged. Mr. Kumar said, “We are examining the screenshots of certain WhatsApp conversations sent to us by Tadvi’s family.”
Ramesh Bharmal, dean of Nair Hospital, said the allegations of harassment were not brought to his notice. He, however, said that show cause notices have been issued to two doctors, including the head of the gynaecology department, as they were aware of the allegations.
Dr. Bharmal said, “Tadvi’s parents met Dr. S.D. Shirodkar and Dr. Yi Ching Ling and they spoke at length about the harassment. But the two doctors did not communicate it to me or initiate any action. They should have at least referred the matter to our anti-ragging cell. I had never received any complaint from Tadvi or her parents in writing or verbally.”
Meanwhile, a Central MARD delegation met Dr. Tatyarao Lahane, the head of Directorate of Medical Education and Research, and demanded that Mr. Bharmal be suspended. A similar demand was also raised in the standing committee meeting of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday.
(With inputs from Suyash Karangutkar)
