KGMU Professor Suspended Following Sexual Harassment Allegations by Junior Resident
An additional professor in the paediatrics department at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has been placed under suspension after a junior resident doctor filed a formal complaint alleging sexual harassment. The university administration initiated an inquiry upon receiving the complaint and, on February 11, referred the matter to the Internal Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) for a thorough investigation.
Preliminary Findings and Immediate Actions
Officials stated that the POSH committee's preliminary findings concluded the allegations to be true. To ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and prevent any potential influence, the accused faculty member was immediately suspended. He has been barred from entering the paediatrics department and has been attached to the office of the dean of medicine pending further proceedings.
In her complaint, the MD student detailed inappropriate behaviour by the additional professor, including accusations of him sending unwarranted messages to her mobile phone. She approached the university administration along with her family members to formally lodge the complaint, demonstrating the seriousness of the allegations.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to KGMU spokesperson Professor KK Singh, the accused allegedly called the resident doctor to his chamber under the pretext of work-related matters. During this encounter, he reportedly held her hand and molested her. The complainant later confided in a woman faculty member, which led to the filing of a formal complaint and the subsequent ordering of an inquiry by the university authorities.
On the directions of Vice-Chancellor Professor Soniya Nityanand, the POSH committee recorded the complainant's statement and questioned the accused as part of the investigative process. This swift action underscores the university's commitment to addressing such grievances promptly and transparently.
A Pattern of Allegations at KGMU
This incident marks the fourth case of alleged sexual misconduct reported at KGMU in recent months, highlighting a concerning trend within the institution. In an earlier case from September 2025, a senior doctor in the gynaecology and obstetrics department was accused of misconduct and later transferred to another department as a disciplinary measure.
In December, an MD pathology student accused Dr. Rameez, a senior doctor, of establishing physical relations under the false pretext of marriage. The allegations further included claims that he forced her to undergo an abortion and pressured her for religious conversion. After several days of search, Dr. Rameez was arrested by authorities.
Additionally, in January, an intern named Mohammad Adeel was arrested following allegations by a nursing student that he sexually exploited her after promising marriage. These repeated incidents have raised serious questions about the institutional mechanisms in place to prevent and address sexual harassment at KGMU.
The suspension of the paediatrics professor is a critical step in the university's efforts to uphold a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff. The ongoing POSH committee investigation will be closely watched as it progresses, with potential implications for broader policy changes within the medical education sector.
