'Nai naveli dulhan ho': Faculty remark sparks scrutiny after junior doctor’s death

Surat: A faculty member allegedly instructed first-year medical students to tolerate harassment by senior residents after the suicide of postgraduate student Dr Harsh Pandya, according to the committee probing the incident. During the inquiry, the committee learned that certain first-year students had lodged complaints about harassment from senior residents, while second-year residents accused juniors of neglecting their assigned tasks.

One faculty member reportedly commented to the freshmen, "You are a newly wed bride, you have to face all this." The committee criticized faculty members for not intervening and maintaining a harmonious academic environment. Four faculty members of Government Medical College, Surat, including microbiology department head Dr Sumaiya Mulla, received show-cause notices.

The inquiry committee, co-chaired by GMC dean Dr Jayesh Brahmbhatt and New Civil Hospital superintendent Dr Parul Vadgama, comprised doctors, a mamlatdar, police inspector, student representative, Junior Doctors’ Association representative, and parents' representative. The college council ratified the committee's report before submission to the state government for measures to prevent similar events.

Dr Harsh Pandya, a 29-year-old first-year MD microbiology student, took his own life at the college campus in Surat on Sunday after refusing to report for emergency duty at New Civil Hospital. His father, also a doctor, mentioned that Pandya had previously spoken about harassment by senior residents. Health minister Praful Patel ordered an internal inquiry, and Khatodara police registered an accidental death case. A panel of doctors later performed a forensic post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death.