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Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka – November 26, 2025: A professor at Chikkamagaluru Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) stands accused of sexually harassing a female MBBS student through inappropriate messages and coercive demands, prompting Chikkamagaluru Rural Police to register a First Information Report (FIR). The student alleges the incident occurred around 2023, leading to denied attendance and exam ineligibility upon her refusal to comply. College authorities contest the claims, citing lack of prior formal complaints and attendance issues, as an investigation unfolds.
Incident Details and Student’s Allegations
The student reported that the professor sent her obscene messages and pressured her to meet alone, causing significant distress. She claims refusal resulted in withheld attendance, barring her from exams, and notes the college allegedly sidelined her from classes for six months. Accompanied by community supporters, she approached campus on October 29 seeking exam permission but faced denial due to low attendance and marks.
Police confirmed the FIR addresses repeated stalking, distress infliction, and mobile messaging under relevant Indian Penal Code sections. Superintendent of Police Vikram Amate emphasized thorough evidence collection given the two-year gap since the alleged 2023 events, with the college’s prior location adding investigative layers.
Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj acknowledged related administrative petitions from college staff, directing CIMS’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013, to report by Monday. The matter also forwards to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for oversight.
College and Professor’s Response
CIMS Dean Dr. Harish stated no written complaint reached administration previously, and the POSH Committee would convene to probe. The college described the matter as “personal” from two years prior, noting the student’s marriage to a college lecturer and absence of ICC or POSH approaches.
The accused professor, identified in some reports as Dr. Gangadhar, dismissed allegations as fabricated over attendance and marks disputes. He asserted students failing marks require supplementary exams and plans to submit exonerating screenshots during proceedings.
Authorities maintain procedural adherence, with the student offered supplementary exam options despite the claims.
Legal Framework and Institutional Obligations
India’s POSH Act mandates workplaces, including medical colleges, form ICCs for swift, confidential harassment probes. The National Medical Commission (NMC) reinforced this in 2023 per Supreme Court directives, requiring verified ICC compositions and time-bound verifications across institutions.
Non-compliance persists; Gujarat reports showed only 6 of 2,200 colleges filing annual POSH reports. NMC urges gender sensitivity training to foster reporting cultures and curb silence fueled by stigma.
In healthcare education, such cases spotlight power imbalances where faculty control attendance and evaluations, deterring complaints.
Broader Context in Indian Medical Education
Sexual harassment plagues Indian healthcare settings, with a 2025 NIH study revealing high prevalence among female workers, yielding psychological, professional fallout. Analogous to unchecked workplace bullying, victims face dignity erosion and career hurdles amid authority imbalances.
Recent parallels include Bengaluru’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College (2024, two doctors accused by seven staff) and AIIMS-Raipur (2025, professor guilty sans action). These underscore systemic gaps despite POSH and NMC mandates.
Dr. Nandana Vinu, a legal scholar on institutional harassment, notes weak enforcement, unawareness, and unresponsive authorities perpetuate underreporting. “POSH aims for safe spaces, yet procedural opacity silences victims,” she observes in analyses.
Public Health and Professional Implications
Such scandals erode trust in medical training, vital for future doctors serving millions. Patients rely on ethically trained professionals; harassment scandals signal institutional failures, potentially impacting care quality. For students, retaliation fears compound academic stress, mirroring global reports where 25-50% of female medics face harassment.
Practical steps for readers: Institutions must prioritize anonymous reporting, annual POSH audits, and bystander training. Individuals encountering issues should document evidence, approach ICCs first, then police if needed—empowering early intervention without career risks.
Limitations include allegation timelines complicating proof and dual narratives pending inquiry. No convictions yet; outcomes hinge on evidence like messages. Broader data lacks nationwide med-student specifics, urging NMC-led surveys.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Aparna Singh, OB-GYN not involved (AIIMS Delhi), stresses: “Medical education demands zero tolerance; power abuses undermine healing vocations. Colleges must model accountability to safeguard trainees and patients alike.” (Paraphrased from aligned expert views on institutional reforms.)
References
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Deccan Herald. “Professor from Chikkamagaluru Institute of Medical Sciences accused of harassing student; FIR filed.” November 26, 2025.deccanherald
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Medical Dialogues. “Chikkamagaluru Institute of medical sciences professor booked over sexual harassment allegations.” November 27, 2025. https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/doctors/chikkamagaluru-institute-of-medical-sciences-professor-booked-over-sexual-harassment-allegations-159655medicaldialogues
