CHENNAI, July 12: The National Commission of Women (NCW) has found Dr Elangovan, doctor at the primary health centre at Poyyur in Perambalur district, guilty of sexual harassment in the Poyyur case involving village health nurses (VHNs). The NCW has recommended that disciplinary and criminal proceedings be initiated against him.The commission expressed shock that the Director of Public Health (DPH) had punished the victims by transferring the VHNs for conducting protest demonstrations against the harassment and that the authorities failed to take action. The NCW suggested that the transfer orders of the VHNs be revoked.In a report submitted to the State Government, released to the press on Sunday, the NCW also pulled up the Tamil Nadu government for not proceeding with the matter according to law.The enquiry committee headed by an IAS officer had not proceeded with the enquiry for various reasons. Following representations from the VHNs that they had no faith in the committee, the NCW had written tothe State Government suggesting that two independent members - one from the NCW and another from the State Commission for Women - be included in the committee.As nothing was done, the NCW decided to conduct the probe.A complaint alleging sexual harassment of VHNs by Dr Elangovan was received by the NCW in October 1997. The doctor had reportedly forced nurses to remove their sarees and demonstrate, in front of him and a male health worker, how a women in her first, second, and third stages of pregnancy was examined. The doctor forced even unmarried nurses to remove their sarees and point out where a 12-week-old foetus was positioned. While some submitted to him, others refused.Those who refused lodged a complaint with Dr Maniarasu, deputy director, health, Perambalur district. But no action was taken. Members of the VHNs Association staged a protest outside the Revenue Divisional Office. Those who protested were transferred. In its recommendations, NCW suggested that Dr Elangovan be immediatelytransferred to a general hospital, safety of the village health nurses be ensured, and the Supreme Court judgment regarding sexual harassment be translated into Tamil and pasted on the notice board of all primary health centres to avoid innocent women from becoming victims.
