Committee finds verbal abuse; four residents suspended, four faculty served notices
A high-level inquiry at Government Medical College (GMC), Surat concluded on Monday after an overnight probe into the death by suicide of a 29-year-old first-year postgraduate student in the Microbiology Department, Harsh Pandya. Based on statements and complaints, the college has suspended four resident doctors for six months and issued show-cause notices to four faculty members.
The inquiry was led jointly by Medical Superintendent Dr Parul Vadgama and Civil Hospital Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmbhatt. The anti-ragging committee examined complaints lodged by nine first-year resident doctors and by the deceased student's father, and recorded statements through the night until about 4am, after which the suspension order was issued at 5am, the college said.
"verbal abuse and humiliation"
The committee's findings identified instances of verbal abuse and humiliation of the deceased by senior resident doctors. The report, approved unanimously by the college council, was submitted to the state government early on Monday. The college said the behaviour reviewed falls under the definition of ragging as per University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines; investigators did not find evidence of physical assault in the complaints examined.
Disciplinary actions and administrative measures
Following the committee's recommendations, authorities have taken immediate administrative steps against those named in the report. The suspended residents have been ordered to vacate their hostel accommodation immediately and are barred from participating in academic activities during the six-month suspension.
- Four resident doctors suspended for six months: Dr Nirali Vasave, Dr Anuj Maheshwari, Dr Dikshita Ghevariya and Dr Hina Bhut.
- Four faculty members issued show-cause notices: Head of Microbiology Dr Sumaiya Mulla, Dr Sangeeta Rajde, Dr Yogita Mistry and Dr Latika Purohit.
- Report submitted: Anti-ragging committee report approved by the college council and forwarded to the state government.
Local medical education observers note that swift administrative action in such cases is intended both to address immediate grievances and to meet regulatory expectations under UGC norms and state medical college oversight. The submission of the report to the state government opens the possibility of further administrative or regulatory action depending on the government's review.
| Name | Role | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Nirali Vasave | Senior resident doctor | Suspended six months; vacate hostel; barred from academics |
| Dr Anuj Maheshwari | Senior resident doctor | Suspended six months; vacate hostel; barred from academics |
| Dr Dikshita Ghevariya | Senior resident doctor | Suspended six months; vacate hostel; barred from academics |
| Dr Hina Bhut | Senior resident doctor | Suspended six months; vacate hostel; barred from academics |
| Dr Sumaiya Mulla | Head, Microbiology Department | Show-cause notice issued |
| Dr Sangeeta Rajde | Faculty, Microbiology Department | Show-cause notice issued |
| Dr Yogita Mistry | Faculty, Microbiology Department | Show-cause notice issued |
| Dr Latika Purohit | Faculty, Microbiology Department | Show-cause notice issued |
Local implications for students and hospital operations
The incident has raised concerns within Surat's medical community about student welfare, mentoring practices and hostel oversight at teaching hospitals. Government Medical College, linked to New Civil Hospital, is a key training institution for the region and any disruption to academic activities or loss of trust can have repercussions for postgraduate training pipelines, departmental staffing and patient-care schedules that depend on resident staffing.
Medical education governance experts often stress that beyond punitive steps, institutions must strengthen counselling, grievance redressal mechanisms and anti-ragging sensitisation for all batches to prevent recurrence. The college's overnight inquiry and prompt administrative orders indicate a procedural response; the state's review of the committee report will determine further action.
No criminal charges have been reported so far in the college's statement; the college has forwarded its findings to the state government for further consideration. The family of the deceased lodged formal complaints that formed part of the inquiry record, and statements were obtained from senior and junior residents, faculty, technicians and other staff during the probe.
As the matter awaits state-level review, the GMC administration in Surat has temporarily restricted the academic participation of the suspended residents and begun internal steps aimed at addressing immediate concerns raised by first-year students.
