Surat Doctor Suicide Case: Four Senior Resident Doctors Suspended Over Ragging Charges

A 29-year-old resident doctor who was found dead in the Boys PG Hostel at Surat New Civil Hospital was allegedly subjected to mental harassment and ragging by senior doctors, prompting disciplinary action against four senior resident doctors. 

The suspension was ordered after a preliminary inquiry by the medical college and hospital administration.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Surat, with the state government ordering a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death.

Doctor found hanging in PG hostel room

The deceased, Dr Harsh Subhash Chandra Pandya, was a first-year postgraduate student in the Department of Microbiology at Government Medical College, Surat, and was serving as a resident doctor at Civil Hospital. 

Originally from Modasa in Aravalli district, he was staying in the Boys PG Hostel on the hospital campus.

According to officials, Dr Pandya failed to report for duty on the morning of 9 August. When a senior doctor was unable to contact him, another resident doctor was asked to check his room. 

The room was locked from the inside, and despite repeated attempts, there was no response.

The door was eventually broken open with the help of hostel security staff, and Dr Pandya was found hanging from a ceiling fan. Hospital officials and Khatodara police reached the hostel soon after.

Ragging allegations emerge during inquiry

The case took a serious turn when the investigation conducted by the hospital and medical college administration reportedly found evidence that Dr Pandya had been mentally harassed and ragged by four senior resident doctors.

Following the findings, the four senior doctors were suspended for six months from the hospital, the hostel, and all teaching and academic activities.

Health Minister orders inquiry

State Health Minister Praful Panseria directed the formation of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the new Civil Medical Superintendent and the Dean of the medical college.

The minister also spoke to Dr Pandya’s father, Subhash Chandra Pandya, and assured the family that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.

Family raises concerns over harassment

Dr Pandya’s father said that his son had not spoken of any major personal problems but had mentioned difficulties involving senior doctors.

The family later sought a forensic post-mortem after becoming suspicious about the circumstances of his death. A forensic panel conducted the examination, and doctors confirmed that the cause of death was hanging.

Police seize electronic devices

Khatodara police have seized Dr Pandya’s mobile phone and laptop as part of the investigation. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is examining the electronic devices and other material recovered from his hostel room.

Dr Pandya had joined the postgraduate programme in microbiology in February last year. He had been engaged six months ago and was reportedly planning to marry in December.

The investigation into the alleged ragging and the events leading to his death is ongoing.