AIIMS student alleges abuse, tries to end life

NEW DELHI: The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has debarred a professor from guiding PhD and research students for the next three years following a suicide attempt by one of her students who had accused her of harassment and abuse.

The premier hospital has also shifted all students doing PhD and research under a professor of microbiology to other faculty members.

The 36-year-old PhD student from the microbiology department had allegedly attempted suicide at his residence in Gautam Nagar by taking an overdose of drugs on March 25 and had accused his supervisor of mental harassment, abuse and delay in his fellowship.

The incident had sparked protests by PhD students from AIIMS. The students demanded suspension and strict action against the professor following which a panel was formed to enquire into the matter.

In his letter to AIIMS director, Randeep Guleria, the fifth-year student alleged that he was being mentally harassed and humiliated by the supervisor under whom he got registered in August 2013.

“I have been under constant mental harassment and humiliation. She has repeatedly used filthy and abusive language in front of everyone. She scolds  me even when work is done correctly. My mental harassment is aggravated as she is not able to procure appropriate facilities and makes no attempt to get the things done...My fellowship is delayed and this puts me in additional financial problem and mental burden,” the student had alleged in the letter.

He also claimed that some students, who are undergoing PhD under the same guide, have contracted tuberculosis, while working in the lab due to lack of proper equipment and personal protective accessories given to them.

The AIIMS is learnt to have issued instructions to all supervisors in the department to implement safety measures and infrastructure for the laboratory staff.