Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Karnataka High Court Pulls Up Officials Over SIMS Harassment Case
A guru is a teacher, and in India many people believe a teacher is even more important than God.
A court in Karnataka, a state in India, heard about a professor at a medical college who was accused of bothering students.
A woman doctor said the professor touched her in a way that made her feel unsafe in 2022.
The place she complained to did not take strong action at first.
Then, in 2025, another student said the same professor behaved badly at a farewell party.
The court was angry that officials seemed to protect the professor instead of the students.
So the judges ordered that the professor stay suspended while an investigation finishes.
They also ordered action against officials who were accused of shielding him.
The judges warned that being too soft on people who harass students makes others afraid to speak up.
They even said the professor could lose his licence to be a doctor if the allegations are proven.
The Karnataka High Court restored the suspension of SIMS Assistant Professor Dr. Ashwin Hebbar K., setting aside an earlier single-judge order that had stayed disciplinary action.
The court ordered action against former Medical Education Department Additional Chief Secretary Mohammed Mohsin and departmental proceedings against former SIMS Director Dr. Virupakshappa.
The case began on July 13, 2022, when a woman doctor at SIMS alleged Dr. Hebbar sexually harassed her; the ICC reportedly advised her to withdraw the complaint.
In June 2025, another postgraduate student accused Dr. Hebbar of harassment at a farewell gathering, and an ICC inquiry found the allegations substantiated.
The court told the National Medical Commission to consider cancelling Dr. Hebbar's medical licence if the allegations are established, warning that leniency discourages reporting.
- Who
- Karnataka High Court Justices D.K. Singh and T.M. Nadaf; accused Assistant Professor Dr. Ashwin Hebbar K.; complainants, including a woman doctor and a postgraduate student at SIMS; and former officials Mohammed Mohsin and Dr. Virupakshappa
- What
- The High Court ordered disciplinary action against officials alleged to have shielded the accused professor, restored Dr. Hebbar's suspension, and asked the National Medical Commission to consider cancelling his medical licence.
- When
- The case dates back to July 13, 2022; fresh allegations emerged in June 2025, after which the Division Bench issued its directions restoring the suspension
- Where
- Karnataka, India; the case involves the Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) and was heard by the Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru
- Why
- Officials allegedly failed to protect students and instead shielded the accused professor, prompting the court to stress that educational institutions must place student safety above all other considerations
Students, Complainants and the Court
Accused Professor's Defence and Supporters
Suspension and disciplinary action against Dr. Hebbar
Students, Complainants and the Court
Students and the court say the suspension must stand and disciplinary proceedings must conclude swiftly; the court called Dr. Hebbar 'a wolf in a white coat' and warned that leniency discourages victims from reporting.
Accused Professor's Defence and Supporters
Dr. Hebbar challenged his suspension and transfer; a single-judge order had earlier stayed his suspension, and a departmental suspension was revoked within 15 days, allowing him to resume service.
Role of senior officials in handling the case
Students, Complainants and the Court
The court found that senior officials of the Medical Education Department showed complete indifference to repeated complaints and tried to protect the accused, ordering action against Mohammed Mohsin and Dr. Virupakshappa.
Accused Professor's Defence and Supporters
It was reported that influential persons allegedly pressured authorities to revoke the suspension and transfer Dr. Hebbar temporarily to Haveri Institute of Medical Sciences, suggesting some within the system sought to moderate the action against him.
- Court
- Karnataka High Court Division Bench (Justices D.K. Singh and T.M. Nadaf)
- Accused
- Assistant Professor Dr. Ashwin Hebbar K. of SIMS
- Institution
- Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS)
- Officials facing action
- Mohammed Mohsin (former Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education Department) and Dr. Virupakshappa (former SIMS Director)
- First complaint
- July 13, 2022 — a woman doctor alleged inappropriate touching
- Second complaint
- June 2025 — a postgraduate student alleged harassment at a farewell gathering
- ICC finding
- 2025 allegations found substantiated
- Key court directives
- Restore suspension, conclude disciplinary proceedings, NMC to consider licence cancellation