Probe against CMCH dean in doctor’s transfer row

CMCH dean B Asokan, RMO A Soundaravel and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics S Vetrivel Chezian appeared before Human Rights Commissioner Justice Durai Jayachandran and gave their statements.

The inquiry follows a complaint to SHRC by doctor Gajendran, who was earlier working as an assistant professor in the Orthopaedics department, that he was suddenly transferred to the emergency and trauma care ward by Dean Asokan on January 3 last year.

When Gajendran sought to know the reason for his sudden transfer, the dean reportedly scolded him. Gajendran then went on leave for two days. The dean subsequently issued a notice seeking explanation for the leave and refused to accept his explanation. Thereafter, the dean took up the issue with the Medical Council of India (MCI), resulting in Gajendran being shunted to another hospital.

Gajendran soon raised a complaint with SHRC and submitted documents to prove that he availed leave with due permission.

On receiving the summons, Asokan gave his explanation on the issue, while the RMO and orthopaedic doctor testified to Gajendran’s attendance at work on those two days. After a nearly two-hour inquiry, the Justice postponed further hearing to 22 August.

Emerging from the inquiry, Asokan attempted to play down the incident, claiming that it was just a routine enquiry followed by departmental action. However, doctor Gajendran told media that he had availed the leave for two days with due permission. “After those two days, I went on a medical leave. However, I was targeted due to personal vendetta. I was also shifted to the Ooty Government Hospital on August 22, but received a communication on my transfer only in the month of November. I am now working in the Sulur Government Hospital,” he said.

Gajendran also claimed that he moved the commission as many doctors like him were subjected to torture silently at CMCH.