Dr. Sugirtha, a 2nd year anaesthesiology Postgraduate student at Sree Mookambikai Medical College in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, committed suicide in her hostel room on October 6, 2023.

A suicide note was recovered from her hostel room, where she accused Dr Paramasivan of Sexual Harassment and Physical and mental abuse. Additionally, Dr. Harish, and Dr. Preethi who are seniors to Dr. Sugirtha, have mentally abused her to toxic levels as the reason for her suicide. (Attached is the death note.)

A case was registered at Kulasekharam police station based on the doctor’s father’s complaint and further investigation is on.

This petition is to achieve the listed goals below.

We beseech you to
1. Empanel an impartial judicial inquiry by a sitting judge with representation from students and civil society to look into matter and render justice. No mercy should be shown to the sexual predators.
2. Expedite the forensic lab analysis and furnish the final postmortem report at the earliest.
3. Ensure a speedy trial.
4. Set up a hotline/ helpline where the students can reach out to the police or support systems to report harassment and obtain guidance as to what are their rights, what are the possible next steps and what to expect as they take it forward if they wish to do so.
5. Ensure that medical institutions which do not have a functional and impartial Internal Complaints Committee as per the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) act be derecognized and admission of new students discontinued until remedial measures are taken.
6. Ensure 'Employer Liability' to create responsibility regarding sexual harassment to (a) prevent incidents of sexual harassment, b) investigate incidents, and (c) correct the incidence in their workplaces.
7. Creation of provision for medical students who are victims of harassment to continue their education in another institution or discontinue their education with no fine imposed on them.
8. Provision for counseling services be provided to victims of sexual harassment by a counselor of their choice either within or outside the institution funded by the institution of study.
9. POSH workshops to be conducted in medical colleges and other institutions to inform and sensitize the authorities and empower students with the knowledge of their rights and actions that they can take. Female mentors allotted to students to approach in case of any harassment.
10. The highest management level must lead the charge to create a workplace culture where harassment is not tolerated, and practical prevention efforts are in place. The employer should design a work culture based on mutual respect, inclusion, and dignity.
11. More women are encouraged to occupy leadership positions such as department chairs, search committee leads, deans, and chief executive officers of hospitals and physician-hospital organizations. Those who prevent or respond to harassment should be rewarded, and those who fail to respond should be held accountable for the failure.

If you are a medico, please provide your Medical Council registration number and mobile number to make the petition more authentic.

#JusticeforSugirtha #endsexualharrassment #workplacesafety #POSHact #mentalhealthmatters #worldmentalhealthday #sexual_abuse #suicide #Tamilnadu #metoo