Doctor at Lucknow medical university booked over harassment, conversion claims; suspended

According to the police, the woman has alleged that the accused repeatedly raped her on the pretext of marriage after visiting her rented accommodation in Lucknow. She alleged that she became pregnant in September and, upon informing the accused, was given abortion pills by him.

The woman has also claimed that around the same time, she came into contact with another woman who identified herself as his wife. According to the complainant, the woman told her that she had converted to Islam for the marriage, which was solemnised in February this year.

Police said the victim had alleged that when she confronted the accused with these claims, he denied the allegations. She further claimed that in October, when she raised the issue of marriage, the accused initially agreed but insisted that she first convert to Islam. When she refused, he allegedly began pressuring her to convert and threatened to malign her image. Under this alleged pressure, the woman is said to have consumed an overdose of tablets on December 17.

University officials said she was admitted to a hospital for treatment. She has since been discharged and is staying with her family.

Police said the case has been lodged under BNS sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means etc), 89 (causing miscarriage without woman’s consent), and 351 (criminal intimidation).

Police said that since the man had been allegedly pressuring her to convert for marriage, they invoked the anti-conversion law against him. “The case has been registered… against the accused doctor based on a complaint referring to an incident that allegedly took place in September,” said the Station House Officer of the police station concerned.

The officer added that the victim has been sent for a medical examination as part of the investigation. Police said the woman’s statement will also be recorded before a magistrate.

Taking serious note of the alleged incident, the medical institution suspended the accused. The action was taken following an interim report submitted by the college’s internal committee, constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The accused will remain under suspension pending completion of the inquiry.

According to officials, the internal committee observed that allowing the accused resident to continue on duty during the pendency of the inquiry could prejudice a fair and impartial investigation. It, therefore, recommended his suspension.

During the suspension period, the resident will not be permitted to perform any official duties and will be barred from entering the university and hospital premises without prior written permission of the competent authority, except when required to appear for inquiry proceedings.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway.