Mumbai: Govt dental college student accuses HoD of seeking sexual favours

The complainant is now in her hometown, said a student from her department. Representation pic

A post-graduation student of the Government Dental College near CSMT has accused a head of the department of demanding sexual favours from her, rocking the institution. A committee will probe into the allegations, said the hospital dean.

Sources said a row erupted after the final year PG student wrote to Dean Dr Dimple Padawe about the sexual harassment by the HOD. The hospital quickly turned to a committee comprising the dean, a head of the department, an official from the administration department, a lawyer and a social worker to get to the root of the allegations.

"It is a sensitive matter and we will investigate accordingly. The student is on preparatory leave and the HOD is on vacation right now. We are waiting for him to come back to initiate the inquiry. We have also informed our superiors about the complaint," said Dr Padawe.

A student from the same department as the complainant told mid-day that she was on exam leave and had gone back to her hometown. The accused HOD didn't respond to calls from mid-day.

The matter has reached the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). Dr Vivek Pakhmode, joint director of Dental DMER, said, "It would be too early to comment on such a sensitive issue. The committee will investigate and take further steps."