A three-judge panel appointed by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) has completed an inquiry into allegations of mental harassment leveled by postgraduate doctors against two faculty members in the Department of Psychiatry at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode. A report is expected to be submitted soon.
According to sources, Varghese P. Punnoos, Principal, Government Medical College, Kottayam, who is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry; PS Indu, Principal, Government Medical College, Thrissur; and C. Raveendran, Secretary, Institutional Ethics Committee, Government Medical College, Thrissur, are members of the panel.
They visited the college for the first time earlier this month and spoke directly to the 12 PG doctors who filed the complaint. Interactions were also held with nurses and nursing assistants and functionaries of Students Federation of India (SFI), Kerala Medical Postgraduate Association and University Union. The panel also dealt with the accused faculty members. However, due to the ongoing supplementary exams for students, the hearing was reportedly adjourned for a few days. Online meetings were then held with some teachers, local doctors and staff, including VP Jithu, the head of the psychiatry department.
In their complaint to the authorities, the PG doctors alleged that the two faculty members had consistently harassed them in front of patients and their caregivers. It is said that the theses presented by them were not approved in time. Some of the PG doctors also alleged that the faculty members threatened to fail them in the exam if they did not toe their line. The PG doctors said they filed the complaint last month after the psychological harassment and public reprimand became unbearable.
In the meantime, SFÚ sought to strengthen the PG complaints cell mechanism, exclude faculty members from employment, along with their transfer to other institutions and keep them out of the duties of supervising exams and evaluating theses.
Published – 11 May 2026 19:45 IST
