Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj Slams Health Secretary for 'Downplaying' Sexual Molestation of Girl Students in Medical College

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday alleged in a letter that an incident of sexual molestation of two students at a medical college in Delhi was suppressed by the Health Secretary. “Deeply shocked to know that young girl students of medical college run by the Delhi government, were denied justice because the government was never informed by the Secretary (Health) about such ghastly incident,” the Delhi minister said in his letter.

According to an Indian Express report, the alleged incident took place on January 31 during the practical exam of the Pharmacology department. The student claimed in her complaint that the professor asked her uncomfortable questions and touched her private parts. The complainant further said the professor asked her to come to the department alone on the pretext of teaching her how to write answers for the exam.

In his letter, Saurabh Bharadwaj further claimed that the Secretary (Health) tried to “defend his inaction” on the pretext that it is a “services matter” and doesn’t fall under the “purview of the Health Minister”.

“I fail to understand how can sexual molestation with girl students in a Medical College can be termed as a Services matter. And in the name of Services matter, the Secretary (Health) is trying to escape all accountability,” the Delhi Health Minister said, adding “how can the criminal activities be given shelter in the name of Services matter?”

Saurabh Bharadwaj further noted it is “even more shocking” that the actions of the Secretary (Health) were “defended” by the Chief Secretary (CS).

“Instead of following the directions of the Health Minister with respect to negligence and apathy being shown by the Internal Complaints Committee, the CS chose to question the wisdom of the Health Minister. It comes as no surprise that the same Internal Complaints Committee gave a clean chit to the accused Professor,” the Delhi Health Minister noted in his letter.

According to a TOI report, Saurabh Bharadwaj, on March 20, wrote to Delhi LG VK Saxena urging him to take strict action against the accused in the matter.