Microbiology HOD suspended in Dr Harsh Pandya death case: Sumaiya Mulla took no action despite ragging comp

Today (20 Aug), Microbiology Department Head Dr Sumaiya Mulla was suspended for three months over allegations of mental harassment and ragging by senior doctors. Medical College Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmbhatt has also been served a show-cause notice.

Harsh, a second-year PG resident, died by suicide on August 9 after allegedly facing repeated ragging and harassment from senior doctors. On August 7, Harsh and other resident doctors had gone to submit a representation to Dr Mulla, but she was unavailable.

The resident doctors subsequently handed over their complaint to faculty member Dr Sangita Rajdev. However, with no concrete action reportedly taken on the issue, Harsh later took the extreme step.

Besides ragging, cases have also been registered against them under provisions related to abetment to suicide and the Atrocity Act.

The medical college administration has suspended all four senior doctors for six months in connection with the case. Earlier, the college had also issued show-cause notices to three faculty members, apart from Microbiology HOD Dr Sumaiya Mulla.