A 30-year-old resident doctor at Surat’s Government Medical College (GMC) has allegedly died by suicide, with a college inquiry finding that he was subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation by senior resident doctors.
The deceased, identified as Harsh Pandya, was a first-year postgraduate student in the Microbiology Department at GMC, which is affiliated with Surat’s New Civil Hospital.
Following an overnight inquiry into the incident, the college has suspended four senior resident doctors for six months. Four faculty members, including the head of the Microbiology Department, have also been issued show-cause notices.
The college has said that the inquiry found evidence of verbal abuse and humiliation, which falls under the definition of ragging under University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. However, officials said there was no evidence of physical abuse in the complaints examined by the committee.
Harsh Pandya Found Dead in Hostel Room
Pandya was found dead in his hostel room on Sunday morning.
Following the incident, complaints were submitted by nine first-year resident doctors as well as Pandya’s father, who is also a doctor. The complaints led the college’s anti-ragging committee to begin an urgent investigation.
The committee conducted a marathon inquiry that continued overnight, from 8:30 pm on Sunday until 4 am on Monday.
Statements were recorded from senior resident doctors, faculty members, technicians and cleaners from the Microbiology Department. Statements from second- and third-year students and other faculty members were also taken into account.
Committee Finds Verbal Abuse and Humiliation
GMC Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmbhatt said the inquiry committee examined each complaint separately and reviewed the statements given by those involved.
According to the committee’s findings, Pandya had been subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation by senior resident doctors.
The committee noted that UGC guidelines include verbal abuse and humiliation within the definition of ragging. Based on the complaints and statements recorded during the investigation, the committee concluded that the deceased had been subjected to ragging.
However, officials stressed that the inquiry found no complaint or evidence of physical abuse.
Dr Brahmbhatt said there was also no evidence to establish that the death occurred as a result of physical abuse. The committee classified the incidents as minor ragging and imposed the prescribed disciplinary penalties on the students found involved.
Four Senior Doctors Suspended for Six Months
Four senior resident doctors have been suspended for six months following the committee’s findings. They have been identified as:
Nirali Vasave
Anuj Maheshwari
Dikshita Ghewaria
Hina Bhut
During the suspension period, the four have been ordered to vacate the hostel immediately. They will also not be permitted to participate in academic activities during the six-month suspension.
The college has said the disciplinary action was taken based on the findings of the anti-ragging committee.
Four Faculty Members Receive Show-Cause Notices
The inquiry has also raised questions about the role and responsibility of faculty members.
A high-level committee has issued show-cause notices to four faculty members, including Dr Sumaiya Mulla, head of the Microbiology Department. The other faculty members who received notices are:
Dr Sangeeta Rajde
Dr Yogita Mistry
Dr Latika Purohit
They have been asked to respond to the concerns raised during the inquiry.
FIR to Be Registered
The college has also decided that an FIR will be registered based on the findings of the inquiry report.
The anti-ragging committee’s report was unanimously approved by the college council. Officials said the report was submitted to the Gujarat government early Monday morning.
The college has also reviewed the situation and said measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Health Minister Orders Urgent Investigation
Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya directed the college authorities to investigate the incident urgently after Pandya’s death.
The authorities were instructed to remain at the Civil Hospital and complete the investigation overnight if required.
Pansheriya said the investigation into the death involved police personnel, forensic experts and a medical panel. He said scientific methods were used to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
The minister also said Pandya’s father, who is himself a doctor, had been assured that the family would receive justice.
Investigation Focuses on Exact Circumstances
While the anti-ragging committee has established verbal abuse and humiliation in the complaints examined, college officials have clarified that the inquiry did not find evidence of physical abuse.
The committee’s findings therefore focus on ragging through verbal abuse and humiliation and the responsibility of those involved.
The wider investigation into Pandya’s death will continue, with an FIR expected to be registered based on the committee’s report.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the treatment of junior doctors and students in medical institutions and the need for strict implementation of anti-ragging rules. The college has said that its review process is aimed at ensuring that such incidents do not recur and that students can study and work in a safe environment.
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