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In a shocking incident, five individuals, including four medical practitioners from Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences (BMIMS) in Bihar, have been booked for allegedly demanding sexual favors from para-medical students in exchange for passing grades in practical exams. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by four individuals.
According to the FIR, the accused doctors, namely Dr Bijendra Prasad, Dr Nirmal Kumar, Dr Ritesh, Dr Ajay, and another individual, demanded sexual favors from para-medical students during practical exams conducted on Wednesday.
The incident came to light when paramedical staff staged a protest before the Nalanda district magistrate during a visit to the BMIMS premises. The protestors demanded immediate action against the accused doctors.
Responding swiftly, the district magistrate ordered the BMIMS principal, Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, to form a sexual harassment committee to investigate the serious allegations.
The complainants had attempted to file a complaint with the Pawapuri police outpost, but their efforts were reportedly denied. One student shared, “On Wednesday around 2 pm when I returned to my hostel, I got a call from a colleague, who asked me to immediately reach the college premises to meet Anaesthesia Department HOD Dr Bijendra. As soon as I arrived there, one of them asked my wish to pass or fail. Dr Ajay and Dr Ritesh forcibly overpowered me.”
Another student detailed their ordeal, stating, “We are OT [operation theatre] assistants. When I reached there after completing viva, Dr Bijendra asked what can I do for him? When I tried to touch the feet of Dr Vijendra and Dr Nirmal, they caught me and molested me.”
Sub-inspector-cum-station house officer Anita Kumari refuted the allegations made by the police, stating that an FIR had been filed against the five medical practitioners, including the Anaesthesia department HOD. The FIR includes charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as 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).
The Principal of BMIMS, when contacted, mentioned the formation of a committee with faculty members to address the issue, while all accused individuals declined to comment.
