Panel to probe allegations of sexual harassment

Rajkot: The state government on Wednesday ordered an inquiry by a three-member committee into the allegations of sexual harassment of women attendants in the state-run GG Hospital in Jamnagar.
On Tuesday, one of the attendants, while talking to media persons about non-payment of salary, had alleged that a supervisor had demanded sexual favours from her and threatened to sack her if she did not agree.
Jamnagar collector Ravi Shankar constituted the committee led by sub-divisional magistrate Aastha Dangar with other members being Dr Nayna Patel, dean of dental hospital and assistant superintendent of police Nitesh Pandey.
“The committee spoke to some of the women attendants in the morning and they will record everyone's statements. We will not allow the guilty to go scot free,” he told TOI.
Nearly 750 attendants were recruited in the last one year on a temporary basis to serve the Covid-19 patients as their relatives were not allowed to stay in the hospital.
The issue came up in the discussion of the state Cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar and chief minister Vijay Rupani ordered an inquiry. Minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja told reporters: “Some women attendant has alleged sexual harassment, molestation and indecent demands. CM directed the district collector and health commissioner to form a three-member committee to probe these allegations.”
Speaking to TOI, SDM Dangar said, “We are trying to ascertain the facts. Prima facie we have learnt that one woman had made these allegations before the media, but there is no formal complaint. We will submit a prima facie report at the earliest.”
According to sources, the woman who had made the allegations, is not coming forward before the authorities, but the team has started recording the statement of other women.
Officials said no formal complaint, either -written or oral, was received by the dean or any senior doctor in the hospital.
One of the women also alleged that supervisors used to send them friendship offers through ward boys and those who turned down the demands had been fired.
Meanwhile, Leela Ankolia, chairperson of Gujarat State Commission for Women has also asked the district superintendent of police to submit a detailed report regarding these allegations.