Senior Kerala government doctor booked for sexually harassing his junior 4 years ago

The survivor was then an intern at the General Hospital in Ernakulam, where Manoj had been working.

The doctor’s Facebook post also prompted Kerala Health Minister Veena George to order an investigation.

The survivor also mailed a complaint to the Director of Health Services, which was forwarded to the police.

A case had been registered against Manoj, a general physician, who was the head of the Department of Medicine in 2019, when the sexual harassment allegedly happened, the police said.

“A case was registered based on a complaint received through email. The statement of the complainant will be recorded soon, and necessary action will be taken accordingly,” a senior police official told PTI.

After registering an FIR, the police were now waiting for a detailed statement from the survivor.

Also read: Student says college failed her for complaining against administrator

‘No action taken’

In the Facebook post, the doctor claimed that Manoj “physically assaulted” her in his private consultation room outside the hospital quarters.

She said she was an intern at the time and had gone to him to lodge an official complaint against a senior consultant.

The junior doctor wrote, “I went alone, as it was 7 pm and I was getting ready to leave. He hugged and kissed me on my face, holding me close to him. I froze and pulled myself away. I complained to the higher officials the next day.”

She added: “No action was initiated initially. I was in the middle of my internship and didn’t further make any complaints as he was a senior official and had the power to sabotage my internship certification process. I was scared.”

She said that the senior doctor was recently transferred to another hospital, and no strict action was taken against him other than the stalling of his promotion.

Also read: A closer look at the unwritten dress code in Indian medical colleges

‘Disgrace to society’

The young doctor said it took her years to even openly talk about this issue.

She added, “I want to expose the predator and make sure everyone knows about his antics. And the female doctors, including myself, whom he abused, should receive justice.”

She also said: “Such doctors are a disgrace to society and must not be allowed to practise. I’m hoping my post reaches the right people, who will take stringent action against such perverts.”

The Kerala Health Department has also initiated a probe into whether there were any attempts to downplay the incident in 2019.

(With PTI inputs)