Delhi: L-G suspends associate professor for harassing students in a sexual manner

At Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, an assistant professor is accused of sexually abusing MBBS female students. On Saturday, Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena confirmed the assistant professor’s suspension.

The L-G issued an order directing the suspension to take effect right away.

“I have given careful thought to the suggestion that Dr. Salim Sheikh, an assistant professor of pharmacy at Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College & Hospital in the GNCTD, be suspended and that formal disciplinary action be taken against him. Additionally, it has been revealed that the police have filed a chargesheet and a FIR in this case,” the judgment said.

Since the alleged shocking incident of sexual harassment occurred at a medical college, the L-G stated that “since the alleged act involves moral turpitude, I approve the proposal to place the officer under suspension with immediate effect, under Rule 10 of the CCS (CCA) rules, 1965,” it is not sufficient to lessen the intimidating environment for the students. The concerned doctor’s transfer to another college, as suggested by the college’s ICC, does not address the alleged shocking incident.

Additionally, Saxena suggested that the health department resubmit the request to begin the disciplinary action against the physician in question.

“Furthermore, the department may be advised to re-submit the proposal with the due recommendations of the NCCSA with regard to initiation of disciplinary proceedings, keeping in mind the unprecedented circumstance where the Chairman of the Authority or Chief Minister is in judicial custody,” the order stated.

In the meanwhile, Dr. Salim Shaikh was the target of an urgent action request made by the medical college’s students and their families in March 2023, when they accused the associate professor of sexual harassment. To put further pressure on the college administration, they also staged a rally.

The accused was initially brought to the attention of the college administration by the medical college students in February of this year. The police filed a case after this, but nothing further was done.

When the female students protested about a month later, the health minister ordered the principal and department head to be held accountable for the reprehensible conduct of coercing the girls into withdrawing their complaint.