Mumbai Sessions Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To KEM Hospital Professor In Sexual Harassment Case

Mumbai: A sessions court on Wednesday refused to grant anticipatory bail to KEM Hospital professor Dr Ravindra Deokar booked for allegedly sexually harassing six female doctors, students and staff on the pretext of taking selfies. The court noted that he has been trying to contact the victims and “directly or indirectly attempting to influence or pressurise them”.

Deokar has been booked on the complaint of a 32-year-old assistant professor, who claimed that he was repeatedly making inappropriate comments and physical advances. After her, five other doctors came forward with similar allegations.

The complainant alleged that Deokar would pull female doctors, staff and students towards him for taking selfies and touch them inappropriately. Besides, one of the doctors has also claimed that the accused forcibly kissed on her lips.

Deokar asserted that he had been falsely implicated at the behest of Harish Pathak, head of the forensic department and academic dean. Objecting to his plea, the prosecution contended that after the registration of the case, the accused has been sending messages on Whatsapp. He or his wife is trying to get in touch with professors and staff and apologising to them, calling the alleged sexual harassment instances as misunderstanding, said the prosecution.

Citing the screenshot of the messages sent by Deokar to victims, the court said, “There is a strong possibility that the applicant may hinder the probe. Due to his high post, he is in a strong position to influence the victims.”

The sessions court noted that though there is no need for Deokar's custodial interrogation, however, this is not a fit case to grant anticipatory bail.

“In the long tenure of the applicant, there is possibility that there are many more victims who have suffered at his hands, but silently endured,” the court said, citing the instance of a former professor who has now shifted to Scotland. The professor has shared her statement with the investigating officer through email supporting the serious allegations.

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