Bihar Shocker: 4 Medical College Doctors Booked for Allegedly Demanding Sexual Favours for Better Marks

Patna: In a shocking turn of events, four doctors and one clerk belonging to Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences (BMIMS), located in Pawapuri area of Nalanda district in Bihar, have been booked for allegedly demanding sexual favours from girl paramedic students in exchange for better grades in their practical viva examinations.

Police have already registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on the complaints filed by four complainants. Apart from this, the Nalanda district administration has also constituted a panel to investigate the matter.

As per the FIR, the accused doctors and a clerk from the institute demanded sexual favours from para-medical students during practical exams that were held on Wednesday. Nalanda Womens' police station took over the case on Thursday.

The doctors and one other have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty (Section 354), sexual harassment (354 A), stalking (354 D) and 509 (act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), informed the Pawapuri police outpost in-charge, Anita Kumari. Meanwhile, commenting on the matter, a senior police officer informed that arrests in such cases are made only after a thorough probe.

This comes after the paramedical staff staged a protest before the Nalanda District Magistrate (DM) Sashank Kumar, who arrived at the college premises on Thursday to attend a function. Raising the issue, the protestors demanded action against the accused doctors.

Immediately the DM ordered the principal of BMIMS Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh to set up a sexual harassment committee to investigate the allegations. The complainants alleged that when they approached Pawapuri police outpost and tried to lodge a complaint, police authorities refused.

As per the latest media report by Indian Express, the student who lodged the complaint informed the Police that after the practicals and viva voice exam was completed between 9 am and 2 pm on Wednesdat, all the students were again called to report to the college again. The complainant added, "We were told on the phone that we would be failed in the viva test if we do not report. When we reached the college, girls were allowed in one by one, while boys were kept waiting outside the main gate."

She added, "A head of department asked me that if I was made the topper, what would I give him in return… I was later directed to another room where there were two doctors, and one of them tried to kiss me."

The student further claimed that at least three more girls complained of such behaviour from the doctors- allegedly demanding sexual favours in return for giving pass marks or even increasing the marks.

One of the students told Hindustan Times that on Wednesday around 2 PM when she returned to the hostel, she got a call from a colleague asking her immediately reach the college premises to meet the HOD. "As soon as I arrived there, one of them asked my wish to pass or fail. Dr *** and Dr *** forcibly overpowered me. When I resisted, they released me. On the same night, I raised the complaint before the principal, woman police station and local police but in vain," added the student.

Another student added, "We are OT [operation theatre] assistants. When I reached there after completing viva, Dr *** asked what can I do for him? When I tried to touch the feet of Dr *** and Dr ***, they caught me and molested me. I immediately informed the principal."