The Gujarat government has suspended Dr Sumaiya Mulla, a Class-I professor and head of the Microbiology Department at Government Medical College, Surat, for 90 days over alleged serious negligence in preventing a ragging incident linked to the death of first-year postgraduate student Dr Harsh Pandya, who died by suicide on 9 August. The order was issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department on directions from Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.

Background: What Happened to Dr Harsh Pandya

Dr Pandya, a first-year resident doctor in the Microbiology Department, was found dead in his postgraduate hostel room on 9 August. A subsequent inquiry by the college's anti-ragging committee found that first-year residents, including Pandya, had been subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation by senior resident doctors. The committee found no evidence of physical abuse.

According to the police complaint, on 5 August, four second-year residents allegedly summoned 10 first-year residents in the Microbiology Department to the department's Serology Laboratory via WhatsApp messages, where they were allegedly held for around two hours and subjected to mental harassment and insulting remarks. The seniors also allegedly made complaints to faculty members claiming the juniors were not performing their duties.

Action Against Senior Resident Doctors

Four second-year resident doctors — Dr Nirali Vasave, Dr Anuj Maheshwari, Dr Dikshita Ghevariya, and Dr Hina Bhut — were suspended for six months following the inquiry. They were directed to vacate the hostel and barred from academic activities during the suspension period. Police subsequently registered a case against all four in connection with the alleged ragging.

The college initiated the inquiry after complaints were filed by nine first-year resident doctors and Dr Pandya's father. The anti-ragging committee recorded statements from resident doctors, faculty members, and other staff during an overnight inquiry session.

Why Dr Mulla Was Suspended

The anti-ragging committee had initially issued show-cause notices to four faculty members, including Dr Mulla, over their roles and responsibilities in relation to the incident. The latest suspension order holds Dr Mulla accountable for failing to prevent the ragging and for not properly discharging her disciplinary duties as department head.

During her 90-day suspension, Dr Mulla's headquarters will be Government Medical College, Vadodara. She will not be permitted to leave Vadodara without written permission from the competent controlling authority, and cannot undertake private employment or business during this period. The government warned that violating these conditions could result in stoppage of her subsistence allowance and further disciplinary action.

Government's Zero-Tolerance Stance

Health Minister Pansheriya stated that the state would maintain a 'zero tolerance' policy towards ragging and mental harassment in educational and medical institutions. 'Ragging or mental harassment will not be tolerated in any educational or medical institution in Gujarat,' he said, adding that strict legal and disciplinary action would be taken against anyone who endangered students' safety or showed serious negligence, 'irrespective of their position.'

'No matter how high the position, an officer who plays with the safety of students will not be spared,' the minister said. The government has also directed medical colleges across the state to ensure students have a safe, disciplined, and fear-free environment on campus.

This case comes amid growing national concern over ragging in medical institutions following several high-profile incidents in recent years. With police proceedings now underway and a faculty suspension in place, attention will turn to whether the state's broader anti-ragging framework is strengthened institutionally.