Surat civic hospital doctor assaults Thai woman in boys’ hostel

A third-year resident doctor in the orthopaedic department of Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER) was suspended Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a Thai woman in the boys’ hostel. Rutvik Darji will remain suspended pending inquiry by dean Deepak Hovale

A 23-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted on Sunday at the boys’ hostel of the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER) medical college and hospital, said police. Even as the institute has set up a committee to probe into the matter, the woman refused to file a police complaint, officials added.

The accused, a resident doctor, is a postgraduate medical student of the orthopedic department.

Varachha police inspector A N Gabhani said, “After primary inquiry, we have come to know that the incident took place between 2.30 am to 3.00 am Sunday. An SMIMR student, who found the woman’s contact online, convinced her to meet and called her at a deserted place in Vesu. Later, the doctor brought her to the hostel on his bike.”

“After they came to the hostel, there was a fight between them and the man allegedly slapped her. The woman felt scared and screamed for help. She escaped from the room, and sought help from the security staff. Our teams reached the spot and brought her to the police station where her statements were recorded. When we asked her to register a complaint, she denied. We later let her go. If she would have registered a complaint, then we would have definitely called the doctor and have recorded his statements. She only speaks English and we called her friend who had given assurance to take her home safely,” Gabhani added.

After learning about the incident on Sunday morning, SMIMER medical college dean Dr. Dipak Howale called a meeting with the warden Dr Arvind Pandey and the security staff.

On Monday, the Dean constituted a committee of five professors working in different departments, and one assistant law officer of the Surat Municipal Corporation.

Speaking with The Indian Express, Dr Howale said, “I came to know about the incident late in the morning and I called the meeting and constituted a team of five professors. The team has started an inquiry into the incident. The teams will take statements of the warden, alleged accused (a resident doctor), the victim and others. We have given them time of one week and once we get the report, it will be forwarded to Surat Municipal Commissioner’s office for further action. As per rules and regulation, if the doctor is found guilty, strict action will be taken so that in future nobody dares to commit such a thing.”