KEM Doctor Denied Bail Over Harassment Allegations

Summary:A senior doctor at Mumbai’s KEM Hospital has been denied anticipatory bail amid serious sexual harassment allegations by six female colleagues. The court feared he could influence the victims and obstruct the ongoing investigation.

Senior Doctor at KEM Hospital Denied Bail in Harassment Case

Did you know? Six women have come forward accusing a senior doctor at a top Mumbai hospital of sexual harassment. The court says he might be interfering with the case.

In a major development, a senior professor from the forensic medicine and toxicology department at Mumbai’s KEM Hospital has been denied anticipatory bail by a Sessions Court. The court, led by Additional Sessions Judge Gauri Kawdikar, cited concerns that the doctor could influence victims and obstruct the sexual harassment investigation.

Court's Reason: Risk of Influence and Pressure on Victims

According to the media report, the doctor has been booked under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a law dealing with

Assault
Sexual harassment
Gestures intended to insult a woman’s modesty

It all began with a complaint filed by a 32-year-old assistant professor who accused the doctor of making repeated inappropriate comments and physical advances. Shockingly, five more women, all doctors, soon came forward with similar experiences.

Evidence and Allegations Keep Stacking Up

As per Additional Public Prosecutor Jyoti Sawant, the accused doctor had taken photographs of the victims on his mobile phone, which are yet to be recovered. The prosecution also pointed out that the doctor and his wife allegedly tried to pressure the main complainant and other victims into withdrawing their complaints. Screenshots of messages and missed calls were submitted to support these claims.

“Thus, it is clear the applicant is directly or indirectly trying to influence or pressurize the victims,” the court observed.

Judge Kawdikar emphasised that due to the doctor’s senior position, he holds the power to manipulate or silence others, making it unsafe to grant bail.

Defence: FIR is Fabricated and Politically Driven

The defence claimed the FIR was fabricated due to internal politics and personal grudges, especially pointing fingers at Dr. Harish Pathak, the Head of the Forensic Department and Academic Dean. They also highlighted the doctor’s clean record over many years of service and the delay in filing the FIR.

However, the court found the evidence too serious to ignore, especially the screenshots showing communication attempts even after the FIR was filed.

Court's Final Word: Bail Denied for Fair Investigation

Judge Kawdikar concluded:

“There is a possibility that there are many more victims who have suffered at the hands of the applicant, but silently endured the same.”
She further stated that to allow victims to come forward “without any pressure or undue influence,” the accused must be kept from interfering with the case.

Conclusion: Justice Must Be Free from Influence

This case highlights the importance of safeguarding victims’ voices in sensitive matters like sexual harassment. The denial of bail aims to ensure a fair, pressure-free investigation where more victims, if any, can come forward without fear. The coming days will likely reveal how deep this issue runs within the institution

Inputs from various media Resources

I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.