Madurai Medical College assistant professor suspended for sexual misconduct

Syed Taheer Hussain, an assistant professor in anaesthesia, was suspended after an inquiry was conducted based on the complaints of eight female students.

The Madurai Medical College has suspended a senior faculty for allegedly sexually harassing female students.

Dean A Rathnavel told the media Monday that Syed Taheer Hussain, an assistant professor in anaesthesia, was suspended after an inquiry was conducted based on the complaints of eight female students.

“I told them (the students) to give a written complaint on this incident on May 8. As per the standard protocol, a Vishaka committee (to deal with sexual harassment at workplace) under vice-principal Dr V Dhanalakshmi was formed to conduct an inquiry,” he said.

As many as 20 female students, two faculty members, and a staff nurse appeared for the two-day inquiry.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Dhanalakshmi noted that the students who appeared for the inquiry were frightened, and some broke down. She said the students were complaining about how the professor used to touch them inappropriately, make sexual innuendos, address them using nicknames and how they were afraid to enter the theatre when the professor was around.

The committee’s report was forwarded to the director of medical education, which issued the suspension order.