Doctor alleges harassment by AIIMS Bhopal HOD:Says, ‘She was threatened and locked alone in a room’; claims mental trauma due to constant intimidation

A fresh case of alleged workplace harassment has emerged at AIIMS Bhopal. Dr. Shruti Dubey, Assistant Professor in the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Department, has accused her Head of Department (HOD), Dr. Mohammed Yunus, of threatening, intimidating, and mentally harassing her. The AIIMS administration has confirmed receiving Dr. Dubey’s complaint. According to the complaint, Dr. Yunus allegedly forced her to sit alone in a room, threatened her, and publicly humiliated her during meetings. Dr. Dubey stated that due to constant pressure and intimidation, she now feels unsafe and mentally disturbed. The matter has reached the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of AIIMS, which has taken cognizance of the allegations. Meanwhile, Dr. Yunus has dismissed all claims as baseless, saying, “The matter is before the ICC, and I have already submitted my response.” “He forced me to sit alone and threatened me” In her two-page written complaint, Dr. Dubey alleged that on the morning of August 7, 2025, around 10:40 a.m., Dr. Yunus entered the ICU counselling room without prior notice and ordered her to join duty in the Trauma Department. When she informed him that her posting was in the ICU as per the Executive Director’s order, Dr. Yunus allegedly replied that “such orders have no value” and warned that non-compliance would affect her approval period. Dr. Dubey further stated that she was repeatedly threatened, falsely accused, and mentally pressured. “I was forcibly made to sit alone in the room. I felt extremely uncomfortable and unsafe,” she wrote. “Publicly humiliated in department meeting” According to the complaint, during a departmental meeting at 11 a.m., Dr. Yunus allegedly insulted her in front of other faculty members and residents, falsely stating that she had agreed to join Trauma duty. When she objected, he allegedly yelled at her, saying, “You are not needed here.” “I am mentally broken, considering resignation” Dr. Dubey said the continued harassment had left her mentally shattered and insecure at her workplace. “I’m at the beginning of my career, but working in such an environment is affecting my mental health and professional future,” she said. She appealed to the ICC to ensure a safe, respectful, and non-threatening work environment, adding that if the situation does not improve, she may be forced to resign. Another woman doctor defends the HOD However, another senior woman professor from the same department has come forward in support of Dr. Yunus. She submitted a written and oral statement to the administration, claiming that the HOD had only called Dr. Dubey for a meeting to assign departmental duties, which the latter had been avoiding for months. “She has not been attending regular classes or fulfilling key responsibilities. When the HOD enforced discipline, she reacted by filing a complaint,” the senior doctor alleged. AIIMS confirms complaint, ICC begins inquiry The AIIMS Bhopal administration has confirmed receiving Dr. Dubey’s complaint but has not announced any formal inquiry or disciplinary action yet. Sources say the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) has already begun recording statements. The administration assured that the investigation would be impartial, ensuring workplace safety and dignity for all employees.