Payal Tadvi suicide: anti-ragging panel quizzes 30 people

Police to probe allegations of casteist slurs; three accused doctors, gynaecology unit head suspended; women’s commission sends notice to Nair Hospital

Cry for justice: Activists stage a protest outside Nair Hospital on Monday condemning the death of Payal Tadvi and demanding the arrest of the seniors who harassed her.

A 21-member anti-ragging committee has taken the statements of nearly 30 people, including resident doctors, professors, nurses, and other staff of BYL Nair Hospital and T.N. Medical College attached to it, in connection with the suicide of Dr. Payal Tadvi. While the panel’s investigation will focus on ragging, the allegations of casteist remarks will be investigated by the police.

Tadvi, a second-year resident doctor at the hospital’s gynaecology department, ended her life on May 22. Her parents and husband have alleged that she was facing harassment and casteist slurs from three senior resident doctors. “The report will be submitted to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences on Tuesday,” said Dr. Ramesh Bharmal, dean of the hospital.

The committee, which included representatives of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, college administration, and the police conducted the investigation on May 25 for nearly eight hours. “Nearly 30 people, including the unit in charge, head of the department, nurses from the operation theatres, lab technician, and her roommates were questioned,” Dr. Bharmal said.

The panel could not interview the accused, who are on the run. He said, “We have pasted notes on their hostel room, sent them messages, and even tried to contact their parents. But we have not received any response.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, the deputy municipal commissioner suspended the three accused doctors and gynaecology unit head Dr. Yi Ching Ling. Dr. Bharmal said the internal investigation has revealed that there could have been work-related harassment. “The allegations of caste-related remarks made by Tadvi’s parents will be investigated by the police. They have submitted such messages to the police.”

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Monday took suo motu cognisance of Tadvi’s suicide and issued a notice to BYL Nair Hospital. The commission has sought a report from the hospital on measures taken to enforce the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, officials said.