A day after dna reported about the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government's attempt to shield a senior doctor of MGM college Nagpur, who was accused of mentally harassing a post-graduate student in March, the doctor has been transferred to the Medical College, Akola.
Medical Education minister Vinod Tawde confirmed the development. "Dr Arun Humne has been issued a transfer order from Nagpur to Akola Medical College," he said.
Over the past two months, over 3,500 resident doctors from 13 state-run medical colleges in Maharashtra have been demanding stern action be taken against Dr Humne, ever since an inquiry instituted by the medical college had held him guilty of the harassment charge, and recommended appropriate action against him. Though Dr Humne had since stepped down from the position of Head, Preventive and Social Medicine department, resident doctors had demanded that he get a stricter punishment.
When their pleas to the Medical Education minister and the Chief Minister failed to elicit a response, they started protesting against the government's inaction. Since Monday last week, they took to wearing black ribbons and holding candle light marches. They also threatened to go on strike, accusing the Fadnavis government of shielding the senior doctor.
The charges of bullying against Dr Humne were levelled by an MD student. As per the complaint (dna has a copy of it) dated March 5, the senior doctor allegedly used to threaten to spoil his career, hurl abuses at him, force him to work on weekends, and make him do personal work such as buying cigarettes, chicken, do shopping for his children and other menial jobs.
The college immediately constituted an inquiry committee, which submitted its report on March 8. The report, of which dna has a copy, states, "The allegations made by the complainant doctor appear to be true. Deviating from the normal protocol Dr Humne intentionally targeted the complainant in revengeful manner. The incident has maligned the image of the department and also the medical college. An appropriate action must be taken against Dr Humne."
When dna spoke to Dr Humne on Friday, he refuted all the allegations, calling them "blatant lies" and "childish". "I am not his guide, yet he is accusing me of things which I never did. There seems to be some conspiracy against me by the MARD." He also claimed that the college committee report was written "under pressure" from the MARD and some jealous colleagues of his, without conducting a proper inquiry.
