HOD Community Medicine Suspended for allegedly molesting BHMS student

Rajkot: A senior professor, an Head of the Department (HOD) of Community Medicine at Rajkot Homeopathic Medical College, has been suspended for allegedly molesting a BHMS female student in the campus.

According to media reports, the first year BHMS student alleged that the professor had touched her waist in an inappropriate manner. When the students got to know about the alleged incident, they gathered at the college, demanding action against the accused professor. The police team was called up to control the situation.

The parent of the student informed the Principal of the college about the entire case. Principal, Hitarth Mehta informed that after receiving the complaint against the alleged molestation, the officials were immediately informed and asked to probe the matter.

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He stated to the Ahmedabad Mirror, "After I received the complaint, I informed the superiors at the University which has appointed a four-member Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) headed by Rashmiben Khubani. As the per the committee's instructions, the professor has been suspended and the probe is on."

The Principal said, “The internal complaints committee (ICC) of the university has initiated an inquiry against professor Bhatt and till the inquiry is over the management has decided to suspend him,” quotes TOI.

There was no official complaint filed with the police since the matter was under investigation of the college committee.

A police official informed the Ahmedabad Mirror, "The CCTV footage of the classroom shows the professor touching the girl standing in his way, while walking up to the stage. We can investigate the matter only if a complaint is registered."

The accused Professor was teaching at the college for the last 23 years. He was currently the HOD of the Department of Community Medicine. He is also a member of the disciplinary committee of the college since the past four years.