The Director of Medical Education (DME) issued orders on Wednesday suspending Dr Konkena Janardhana Rao, associate professor of general surgery at Andhra Medical College (AMC) in Visakhapatnam, with immediate effect. The suspension follows an internal investigation into misconduct allegations made by postgraduate medical students.
Complaint and Investigation
DME Dr Vishnu Vardhan stated that the PG students lodged a complaint via email to the college principal on June 14. The complaint detailed sexual, mental, and verbal harassment, as well as unprofessional conduct by Dr Janardhana Rao in the department. Upon receiving the complaint, the college principal was directed to investigate immediately. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of the college conducted a detailed inquiry on June 15 and 16.
Committee Report and Suspension
The suspension order was issued after the ICC submitted its report. Dr Vardhan noted that Dr Janardhana Rao is among the best general surgeons in the state's teaching hospitals. However, AMC principal Dr KVSM Sandhya Devi, in her report to the DME, concluded that the students' allegations against Dr Janardhana Rao were true and required disciplinary action. She recommended necessary disciplinary measures and surrendering Dr Janardhana Rao from AMC to the DME to ensure the safety and respect of female PG students in the general surgery department.
Dr Sandhya Devi told TOI that the ICC members interacted individually with all general surgery PG students over two days, scrutinized written statements, and thoroughly investigated all four aspects of the complaint. The general surgery department at AMC admits 26 students annually.
