RMOs in Jamnagar, Gondal file police complaints over harassment

Rajkot: Two separate cases have been registered in Jamnagar and Gondal town of Rajkot after resident medical officers (RMOs) of govt hospitals accused individuals of harassment, intimidation and disruption of hospital operations.

In Jamnagar, Dr Pramodkumar Saxena, a 59-year-old resident medical officer (RMO) at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, lodged a complaint at B Division police station against Suresh Chauhan under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 221 and 351(2).

According to the complaint, on May 16, at around 10.30am, Chauhan allegedly entered Dr Saxena’s office multiple times, engaged in a heated argument, used derogatory language and made false allegations against him. The accused allegedly recorded videos on his mobile phone and disrupted an important meeting related to patient services underway at the hospital.

Dr Saxena alleged that Chauhan had been regularly visiting the hospital with complaints and harassing him through repeated late-night phone calls. He further claimed that the accused attempted to exert pressure through RTI applications and complaints on the 104 Health Helpline. The complaint also stated that Chauhan threatened to implicate the doctor in atrocity-related cases and made remarks that harmed his reputation.

Hospital staff, doctors and security personnel were reportedly present during the incident. Dr Saxena, who has served in the Gujarat Health Service for 33 years, told police that he feared for his safety and sought protection. Police said further investigation was underway.

In a separate incident, Dr Prem Patel, a 28-year-old RMO at Gondal govt hospital, filed a complaint at Gondal City A Division police station against Arjun Chauhan and Nawaz Janwani under BNS Sections 221, 352, 351(3) and 54.

According to the FIR, the accused had allegedly been visiting the hospital unnecessarily over the past year, misbehaving with staff, issuing threats and recording videos to harass medical personnel.

Dr Patel alleged that the duo frequently entered the hospital claiming to conduct inspections and verbally abused doctors and staff members. Junior doctors Dr Pratik Joshi, Dr Harshita Seerja and Dr Rajat Rathod also reported repeated harassment by the accused.

The complaint further alleged that the accused threatened to defame hospital staff on social media and obstructed hospital functioning by threatening to kill medical personnel. Police have begun further investigation into the matter.