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ROHTAK, INDIA – An inquiry committee has been established at the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS), Rohtak, following disturbing allegations of harassment, verbal abuse, and physical assault lodged by a resident doctor against a senior professor.
Dr. Jishnu Mohan, a third-year postgraduate resident in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) department, has formally accused Professor Dr. Ravinder Solanki, also of the OMFS department, of subjecting him to sustained mental and physical abuse. The situation reportedly escalated recently when Dr. Mohan was allegedly physically assaulted by Dr. Solanki within the department’s Outpatient Department (OPD).
Speaking to EdexLive, Dr. Mohan described a pattern of alleged abuse stretching back to his first year. “Dr. Solanki has been mentally torturing me since my first year,” he stated, claiming the professor would intimidate residents by referencing alleged political and gangster connections. Dr. Mohan also alleged that Dr. Solanki demanded personal favours, such as fetching tea or running errands for his family. “Despite bearing with it for three years, the recent physical assault pushed me to file an official complaint,” Dr. Mohan explained.
Detailing the alleged assault, Dr. Mohan recounted that Dr. Solanki forcibly took his personal phone. When questioned, the professor allegedly dragged him by the hand, launched into verbal abuse, threw a chair at him, hit him, and pushed him out of the room. Dr. Mohan noted that senior faculty members were present but reportedly did not intervene. He believes CCTV footage from the OPD can corroborate his account.
Concerns among residents are heightened by prior incidents. Dr. Mohan mentioned that a senior colleague, Dr. Deepti Chikkara, had previously reported Dr. Solanki for sexist remarks and mental harassment during her residency. However, the internal complaints committee at that time reportedly only issued a warning.
The allegations have drawn widespread condemnation and support for Dr. Mohan from various resident doctors’ associations (RDAs). Dr. Manoj Malik, former General Secretary of RDA-PIMS Rohtak, affirmed solidarity, stating, “This is not an isolated incident but a recurring problem… We demand a thorough and impartial inquiry.” Dr. Indra Shekhar Prasad, President of RDA AIIMS Delhi, echoed this, calling the alleged abuse “unacceptable” and contrary to the principles of medical education. Both associations have indicated they may escalate the matter to higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and Health Minister, if necessary.
In response to inquiries from EdexLive, PGIDS Rohtak authorities confirmed the formation of an inquiry committee. The committee includes the Dean of PGIMS Rohtak as Chairman, the Dean of Student Welfare at UHS Rohtak, and the Principal of PGIDS Rohtak. Pending the investigation’s conclusion, Dr. Solanki has been barred from supervising postgraduate students and instructed to avoid all contact with Dr. Mohan and other potentially aggrieved residents.
Despite these measures, skepticism remains among some resident doctors due to the perceived leniency in past cases. Dr. Mohan himself has expressed serious concerns for his personal safety, citing Dr. Solanki’s alleged influence. “I fear for my life,” he told EdexLive. “We have been silent for too long because of his influence, but this has to stop.”
This case has amplified the national conversation surrounding the workplace environment for junior doctors, with many calling for stricter accountability for faculty misconduct and systemic reforms to prevent harassment and intimidation within medical institutions. The outcome of the PGIDS Rohtak inquiry is being closely watched by the medical community, potentially setting a precedent for how such serious allegations are handled in the future.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding allegations made by Dr. Jishnu Mohan against Dr. Ravinder Solanki. An official inquiry is currently underway by PGIDS Rohtak. The allegations described represent one side of the incident and have not yet been proven in the ongoing investigation. Dr. Solanki is considered innocent until proven guilty.
