The police were informed that on Sunday, 9th June, a 23-year-old woman was assaulted at the boys' hostel of Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER) medical college and hospital.
The accused, a third-year resident doctor, is a medical student in the orthopedic department and the victim is a Thai woman who works in a massage parlor with a valid work permit.
Varachha police inspector A N Gabhani said that after the initial inquiry, they got to know that this incident took place between 2.30 to 3 am on Sunday. The accused, a SMIMER student found the victim's contact online and convinced her to a meetup at an abandoned place in Vesu. Reports also say that later that night, the doctor brought the woman to the boys' hostel on his bike.
The accused, a SMIMER student found the victim's contact online and convinced her to a meetup at an abandoned place in Vesu. Reports also say that later that night, the doctor brought the woman to the boys' hostel on his bike.
A N Gabhani, Varachha police inspector
After both of them reached the hostel, they had a heated argument which led to the man allegedly slapping her. This scared the woman and she screamed for help. She escaped the hostel room and sought help from the security guards. They immediately informed the police.
The police reached the spot and brought the 23-year-old to the police station where her statements were recorded. The probe was ordered after the woman approached the police on Saturday night and submitted an informal complaint. Despite being asked to register a complaint, the woman refused to file it. The police officials let her go. If a complaint had been registered, they could've called the doctor and recorded his statements. Gabhani added that since she's a foreigner, she only speaks English, and her friend was called to the station to give her some reassurance and take her home safely.
Sources in SMIMER have said that the resident doctor was suspended earlier from the college for six months for allegedly attacking a junior doctor.
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.
Sources in SMIMER have said that the resident doctor was suspended earlier from the college for six months for allegedly attacking a junior doctor.
On Monday, the Dean constituted a committee of five professors working in different departments and one assistant law officer of the Surat Municipal Corporation.
Dr. Howale also told the Indian Express that when he got to know about this incident it was late in the morning. He immediately called for a meeting and constituted a team of five professors. The team has already started to look into this incident. They'll take the statements of the warden, the alleged accused, the victim, and any witnesses. The team has been given one week to report back and once it's received, the Surat Municipal Commissioner's office will take further action. If the doctor is found guilty, strict action will be taken.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Aditi Madathingal/MSM)
