‘Religious conversion’ case: Arrested KGMU doctor to be expelled, UP Police STF may take over case

“… There were allegations of a bigger religious conversion network. Probing them is far beyond our jurisdiction. While we were already in touch with the STF, and a retired DG of Police was part of our inquiry team, the university administration decided today to hand over the entire inquiry to the STF,” said Professor K K Singh, spokesperson of KGMU.

“Further, since there were allegations that some faculty members were… part of a bigger… conversion racket, we decided it is best such inquiries are conducted at a higher level. If the allegations are proved true, then the guilty can be punished. Otherwise, the university will get a clean chit from a higher investigating agency since this is hampering our image as well,” the spokesperson added.

Last month, a KGMU resident doctor, who allegedly attempted suicide, had accused Rameezuddin of sexual assault and attempted conversion. While the varsity ordered a Vishaka Committee probe into the allegations, reports emerged of the alleged involvement of other faculty members in a “wider religious conversion racket”. The KGMU then instituted another committee, which included former DGP Bhavesh Kumar, to probe this claim.

Rameezuddin was arrested last week.

Speaking to a news agency after meeting the CM, Vice-Chancellor Nityananada said, “I briefed the CM about the Vishaka Committee report on Rameezuddin; he has been found guilty and we have decided to expel him from the university. The chief minister was satisfied with our decision… On the allegations of a religious conversion racket, the CM said an STF probe will bring out the truth of such a nexus, if there is any… because the country’s security is of paramount importance…”

Varsity extends OPD shutdown deadline to 48 hours

In a related development, late Monday night, the associations of KGMU employees and doctors decided to extend the deadline given to the police to file an FIR over Friday’s campus ruckus till Wednesday.

The ‘vandalism’ occurred on January 9 after a group of people, including BJP leader and vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission Aparna Yadav, allegedly tried to force their way into the KGMU V-C’s office. Yadav wanted to meet the V-C over the alleged conversion case.

Earlier in the morning, all KGMU employees had threatened to stall OPD services from Tuesday if the police failed to lodge an FIR within 24 hours.

The minutes of the meeting, signed by representatives of all associations, had stated: “KGMU is renowned for training doctors and treating critically ill patients. When even the Vice-Chancellor and officials are not safe, it is futile to discuss the safety of the remaining faculty, residents, nurses, and other staff. Given the gravity of the situation, there was pressure to close the OPD from today, but considering patients are coming from faraway places, it was deemed appropriate to give 24 hours’ notice.”

The KGMU administration had filed a complaint with the Chowk police station in Lucknow on January 9 through the Proctor, alleging “vandalism… by rioters on KGMU campus on January 9”.

“It is extremely sad that despite the complaint, not only have the rioters not been arrested, even an FIR has not been registered after 72 hours. Aparna Yadav’s actions were not in keeping with her position and tarnished the government’s image. She, along with 100-150 male rioters, harassed the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Chairperson of the Vishaka Committee, and the Proctorial Board, and held a press conference based on false facts,” the minutes of the meeting read.

Police had claimed their investigation is still going on. University authorities said police have been deployed on the campus after they raised safety concerns.