Row over medical test of MP woman constable

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government was left red-faced after a video surfaced on Wednesday of a male doctor taking measurements of a newly recruited woman constable in a room at the district hospital in Bhind where male constables were also examined.

The clip showed men dressed only in their undergarments waiting for their medical exam. A physical test and medical examination are mandatory for new recruits to join duty as constables.

District collector Ilayaraja T instituted an inquiry and suspended Dr Devendra Sharma, in charge of the medical board at the hospital.

Ilayaraj said the inquiry would be conducted by a team of an additional district magistrate and an additional superintendent of police.

The state government also took cognizance of the matter and instituted an inquiry. A joint director of health department will conduct the probe and will visit the district on Thursday, officials familiar with the development said.

The collector said, “I have come to know that there was a separate room for the medical examination of woman constables and there was a lady doctor too.”

“The inquiry will tell what had really happened.” A police constable was also suspended.

The civil surgeon, Dr Ajit Mishra, has issued show-cause notices to five doctors on the medical board to explain why they shouldn’t be punished and instituted an inquiry.

Inspector general of police (Chambal range) Santosh Singh said, “We will have it inquired into and will take action against the guilty.”