NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The Directorate of Vigilance has suspended Dr Mahendra Khanolkar, attached to the North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa, on the alleged charges of molesting a patient.
According to information, Dr Khanolkar, a radiologist, was suspended based on the inquiry reports of the internal committees of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS). In this connection, the Directorate of Vigilance will initiate disciplinary proceedings against the doctor for which an officer is being appointed, said sources.
The incident was reported in May 2016 wherein a woman had accused Dr Khanolkar of allegedly molesting her in the ultrasound room of the hospital.
Referring to the incident, an officer said that the complainant, who was five months pregnant, had visited the hospital for a medical checkup. After being examined at the gynaecology outpatient department (OPD), she was referred for an ultrasound in the radiology OPD.
In the radiology OPD, Dr Khanolkar, who was on duty performed the ultrasound of the complainant. While performing the ultrasound, the doctor allegedly touched her inappropriately, the officer said referring to the incident.
Subsequently, the patient narrated the alleged incident of molestation to a hospital personnel following which the matter was referred to the hospital’s sexual harassment at workplace committee. The inquiry revealed that Dr Khanolkar had performed the ultrasound on the complainant in the absence of a lady attendant in the clinic which is against the rule, said sources.
Similarly, another independent inquiry was also conducted by the vigilance cell of the DHS. The inquiry had revealed that the doctor is an alleged habitual offender (in 2014, an FIR was lodged against him on charges of allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old girl patient at a private clinic in Bicholim) and had recommended necessary penal action under the relevant provision of central civil service conduct rules to deter him from indulging in such acts.
Sources said that the inquiry also recommended de-licensing him from practising. Apart from this, penal action needs to be taken against him for indulging in private practice, which was revealed during the inquiry, sources said.