Nair Hospital did nothing on our letter against ragging: Doctor Payal Tadvi's kin

The family of a resident doctor who committed suicide at BYL Nair Hospital last week has accused the hospital authorities of sitting on their complaint raising her alleged harassment over caste by three fellow female doctors.

"For us, everything including our life has come to a halt now," said Ritesh Tadvi, brother of Dr Payal Tadvi, who hanged herself in her hostel room on May 22. Ritesh said the fact that they hail from a tribal community in Jalgaon district was the reason for her ragging.

Payal's brother said they had written a letter to Nair authorities on May 10 about the young doctor's ordeal, but the hospital never took any action. However, hospital dean Dr RN Bharmal said they never received any complaint.

Ritesh called his sister's suicide a murder. "We are demanding justice. We had made several attempts to meet the dean but we could not. I am a divyang [physically challenged], my mother is a cancer patient and she was our only support and hope in life."

The letter by Payal's family which has gone viral on social media names Dr Hema Ahuja, Dr Bhakti Mehare and Dr Ankita Khandelwal as the perpetrators. "My sister was harassed by these three doctors. We have asked for their suspension and demanded their medical registration be cancelled at once," said Ritesh.

According to the letter, the mother of Payal, a gynaecology student, had once witnessed the ragging when she visited her at the outpatient department (OPD). The letter says the mother wanted to report the harassment to the dean, but was stopped by Payal. Her mother used to visit the hospital between October and December last year for her cancer treatment.

Dean Dr RN Bharmal said a show-cause notice has been issued to the officials who failed to spot the alleged crime. "We have so many redressal forums including an anti-ragging unit, while I am always approachable. I am sad that none of the systems were approached, nor the heads concerned personally informed me."

Bharmal too denied having received any letter from the family. "Had I known or any of the redressal systems were made aware about it, this would have not happened." He said two inquiries, including one by an anti-ragging panel, are underway. "One of the reports will be out on Monday."

Ritesh said their community back home was very proud of Payal as she was the first from their area to have completed MBBS and was doing her MD. "Now all our dreams are shattered."

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad has called for a protest at the hospital on Tuesday. "We want strict action against the accused and Rs 50 lakh for the family. We also want the hospital to take care of her cancer-stricken mother," said Lucky Bhau Jadhav, head of the Parishad's state unit.

Senior Inspector Savlaram Agawane of Agripada police station said a case has been registered against the doctors – Ahuja, Mehare and Khandelwal – who have gone into hiding.