Inquiry Panel Confirms Sexual Harassment Charges Against Top Forensic Official at IGGMC Nagpur

NAGPUR — In a significant development concerning workplace safety in medical institutions, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) has found the Head of the Forensic Medicine Department guilty of sexually harassing a postgraduate student. The inquiry panel’s report, submitted earlier this month, substantiates serious allegations against Dr. Makrand Vyawahare, recommending his immediate transfer and a formal reprimand.

The findings come weeks after a first-year female postgraduate resident filed a formal complaint alleging months of mental and sexual harassment, prompting a police First Information Report (FIR) and igniting protests by resident doctors demanding a safer academic environment.

Inquiry Validates Serious Allegations

The 14-member ICC, tasked with a fact-finding inquiry, concluded that the complainant’s allegations were “true, serious, and constituted sexual harassment” under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

According to sources familiar with the confidential report submitted to Dean Dr. Ravi Chavhan, the committee relied on compelling evidence to reach its verdict:

• Electronic Surveillance: CCTV footage from November 7, 2025, reportedly shows Dr. Vyawahare placing his hand on the resident doctor’s back during an autopsy procedure, an act the committee noted made the student visibly uncomfortable.

• Digital Evidence: An audio recording submitted by the complainant corroborated claims of inappropriate, sexually toned personal remarks made by the senior professor.

• Witness Testimony: Multiple statements from junior residents and support staff confirmed a pattern of behavior, including instances where the student was detained in the HOD’s chamber for prolonged periods under the guise of academic work.

“The committee noted that the conduct, coming from a senior male teacher toward a female student, falls squarely within the definition of workplace sexual harassment,” a source close to the investigation stated.

A Pattern of “Mental and Professional Torment”

The allegations paint a disturbing picture of abuse of power within the medical hierarchy. The complainant detailed an ordeal beginning in February 2025, describing how Dr. Vyawahare allegedly used his position to intimidate and exploit her.

Key accusations validated by the probe include:

• Inappropriate Conduct: Allegations that the professor asked the student to remove her apron during academic checks and made unsolicited comments about her attire and physical appearance.

• Professional Threat: The student reported being threatened with the cancellation of her postgraduate seat and the ruin of her career if she did not comply with his directives.

• Public Humiliation: Reports of the HOD belittling the doctor in front of colleagues and creating a hostile work environment were also noted by the panel.

A Recurrent History of Controversy

This is not the first time Dr. Vyawahare has faced such serious charges, raising questions about accountability in state-run medical institutions. Veteran faculty and alumni recall similar controversies in 2015 when Dr. Vyawahare, then serving at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur, faced allegations of mental and sexual harassment.

In that instance, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) launched statewide strikes after a resident doctor allegedly suffered a stress-induced stroke attributed to harassment by the professor. Despite previous transfers to colleges in Chandrapur and Gondia following these inquiries, Dr. Vyawahare was eventually reinstated to a leadership position at IGGMC, a move that is now under renewed scrutiny.

Broader Implications for Medical Education

The case highlights a pervasive yet underreported crisis in Indian medical education: the vulnerability of junior doctors to harassment by senior faculty who hold immense power over their academic futures.

“The hierarchical nature of medical training often silences victims,” explains Dr. Aruna Roy, a public health ethics advocate (name changed for privacy). “When a department head, who controls your thesis, exam eligibility, and daily roster, becomes the predator, the barrier to reporting is astronomically high. This case is a victory for due process, but the fact that it took months of alleged abuse to reach this point is concerning.”

Recent studies suggest that workplace harassment in healthcare is alarming. A 2025 study published in the Indian Journal of Community and Family Medicine found that nearly one in four healthcare workers reported facing sexual harassment, with postgraduate students being particularly vulnerable.

Recommendations and Future Action

The ICC has recommended a series of punitive and corrective measures:

1. Immediate Transfer: Shifting Dr. Vyawahare out of IGGMC to ensure a fear-free environment for the victim and her batchmates until they complete their degrees.

2. Administrative Action: A formal reprimand and initiation of action under the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules.

3. Further Investigation: The establishment of a separate high-level committee to investigate allegations of administrative irregularities, such as roster manipulation and academic coercion, which fell outside the ICC’s specific mandate.

As of this week, the police investigation based on the FIR filed at the Tehsil police station is ongoing, with authorities in possession of the original digital evidence.

“The medical community must have zero tolerance for such behavior,” stated a representative from the local MARD chapter. “We expect the administration to implement the ICC’s recommendations immediately. Transfers cannot be the only solution for repeat offenders; there must be systemic accountability.”

Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or legal advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals or legal experts before making any decisions regarding workplace safety or mental health. The information presented here is based on current research, news reports, and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References:

• Saha, A. (2025, December 9). IGGMC HoD Forensic Medicine found guilty of sexual harassment, confirms inquiry panel. Medical Dialogues.

• Times of India. (2025, December 8). Probe panel report confirms sexual harassment by HoD at Mayo. TOI Nagpur.