Sat Jul 19 07:09:01 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Mumbai Pediatric Resident Doctor Attempts Suicide Following Alleged Harassment by Head of Department**
**Mumbai, July 19, 2025** – A third-year pediatric resident at JJ Hospital in Mumbai attempted to take her own life on July 16th, prompting widespread condemnation of the hospital’s Head of Department (HoD), Dr. Bela Verma, over allegations of severe harassment and discrimination. The incident has sparked an indefinite strike by the Department of Pediatrics and calls for Dr. Verma’s immediate suspension and a thorough investigation.
According to a letter penned by the resident’s batchmates, the doctor was subjected to “exceptional harassment and discrimination” by Dr. Verma, who is also her PG guide and local guardian. The letter details instances where the resident was allegedly targeted and belittled for “trivial reasons,” particularly in front of patients and their families, ultimately leading to unbearable emotional distress and the need for professional psychiatric help. Her batchmates also said that the doctor was threatened with not being allowed to appear for her MD examinations by her teacher, who had constantly been harassing and discriminating her
“The resident was facing exceptional harrasment and discrimination from the head of department, who is her PG guide and local guardian. Due to trivial reasons, she was targetted and belittled on numerous occasions , especially in front of patient relatives from the start of her residency. This torture soon became unbearable for her. She tried to seek professional psychiatric help. On numerous occasions she felt anxious and helpless and felt that there was no way out”
Her colleagues also alleged that the department suffers from a “rampant favouritism,” “unfair treatment,” “systemic abuse,” all under the leadership of Dr. Verma. They claimed postings were unfairly rotated, pay cuts were arbitrary, and the overall physical and mental well-being of residents was disregarded.
The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctor Association (MSRDA) has added its voice to the growing chorus of outrage, “unequivocally condemning” the “continued departmental toxicity and harassment” at Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital. In a letter to Minister of Medical Education of Maharashtra, Hasan Mushrif Saheb, MSRDA demanded Dr. Verma’s suspension, a time-bound investigation, and psychological support for affected residents, as well as assurances from the state government that such toxic environments will not be tolerated.
The Department of Pediatrics at JJ Hospital has initiated an indefinite strike demanding the permanent transfer of Dr. Verma. The hospital administration has yet to release an official statement.
*This is a developing story. The Hindu will continue to provide updates as they become available.*
*(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: I Call – 022-25521111 (Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.); ASRA – 022 2754 6669 (24×7); The Samaritans Mumbai: 8422984528/842984529/8422984530 ( 5 p.m. -8 p.m., all days))*
First Piper 