BY ADITI MISHRA
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has highlighted allegations of sexual harassment, blackmail and forced conversions at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow. The investigation was carried out due to complaints from female resident doctors, nurses and other female members of staff.
Following almost ten months of investigation, the STF report has highlighted 12 names in various cases from Pathology, Microbiology, Radiology and Gandhi Ward.
This has raised questions about how management has responded to the situation. The state government has instructed KGMU to take action against those named.
The STF investigated 12 cases made against female staff. These included sexual harassment, blackmail, forced conversions, and threats to refuse to convert.
The areas investigated were:
1. Pathology
2. Microbiology
3. Radiology
4. Gandhi Ward
Some female staff were allegedly forced into relationships using fake marriage promises. They were also forced to convert. Other allegations included threats and mental harassment to prevent females from complaining. Some cases may not have been taken seriously, or those accused may have had support from management within the university. Those accused will need to have the proper legal and departmental processes applied to them.
One of the key cases was against Dr Rameez/Rameezuddin Nayak, a resident doctor. Dr Devarati Mishra, a female resident doctor, made a complaint against him in December 2025. She alleged he had harassed, blackmailed, and forced her to convert. Other female doctors have made similar allegations. On the 9th January 2026, Dr Rameez was arrested. His parents were also arrested as co-accused. Other cases were made against Adil, a resident doctor. He was accused by a female member of staff on the 29th December 2025.
The STF report has highlighted that there were complaints made by nursing staff in Gandhi Ward. Nafees and Furqan were accused of harassing female staff and forcing them to convert and marry. Adil, a resident doctor, was also named. In Microbiology, Jyoti Rao, a contractual computer operator, made a complaint against Shafqat Ali Khan. She stated she was being harassed and forced to convert. However, there were concerns about how the case was handled. An enquiry committee was formed, but her contract was ended.
The resident doctor, Dr Rizwan, was accused of blackmailing 2 female doctors and forcing them to convert. They claimed they were threatened with ruining their careers and failing them in exams. This is concerning, as junior doctors can be vulnerable in medical colleges. Seniority can have an impact on your training as a resident doctor, and they can have control over your academic performance.
The investigation looked into how senior staff and faculty had handled the complaints. According to Aaj Tak and The 420, the Head of Pathology, Professor Suresh Babu, and Additional Professor Dr Sumaiyra Qayyum have been accused of favoring those making the complaints and putting pressure on the female complainants.
Other officials and staff were also questioned about supporting those accused. There were concerns that resident doctors were being treated unfairly if requesting time off for religious reasons or emergencies. Some female doctors claimed they were treated differently. These are allegations only and not yet proven.
The STF report has mentioned an Islamic Medicos group. It has been claimed that some medical students and doctors from KGMU and Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra have links to this group.
During the investigation, it was found that some former and current medical students from different batches had links with each other. This was investigated to see if they had a part to play.
However, just because they are part of a group or have links with others does not mean they were involved in any harassment or forced conversions. Evidence will need to be provided to show any individual wrongdoing.
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A letter was sent to the KGMU Registrar by the Medical Education Department on the 30th October 2026. They have instructed KGMU to take action against the named doctors, teachers and staff.
The letter, sent by Joint Secretary Anand Kumar Tripathi, stated that they must "take necessary actions as per the provisions of the KGMU Act, 2002 and Statutes, 2011" and provide a report back to the state government.
KGMU Spokesperson Dr KK Singh has confirmed they have received the STF report. He has stated they will take action against the 12 individuals.
The actions that will be taken will depend on what happens next. Those named will be dealt with using departmental and legal processes.
(Rh/AM)