Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Gujarat Suspends Surat Medical College Department Head After Student Suicide
A first-year postgraduate medical student named Dr Harsh Pandya was found dead in his hostel room on August 9.
He studied Microbiology at Government Medical College in Surat.
Before his death, students reportedly complained about alleged ragging by senior students.
They tried to meet department head Dr Sumaiya Mulla, but she was unavailable.
The students later told a faculty member about the alleged incidents.
Sources said no action was taken at that time.
The Gujarat health department suspended Mulla for 90 days.
The department also sent a show-cause notice to the college dean.
Police have booked accused doctors under several legal provisions, including sections concerning wrongful confinement and intentional insults.
Dr Sumaiya Mulla, head of Microbiology at Surat Government Medical College, was suspended for 90 days.
The suspension relates to the alleged suicide death of first-year postgraduate student Dr Harsh Pandya on August 9.
Pandya was found dead in his hostel room on the medical college campus.
Students reportedly raised allegations of ragging by seniors with Mulla and faculty member Dr Sangita Rajdev.
The Gujarat health department also issued a show-cause notice to college Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmabhatt.
- Who
- Dr Harsh Pandya, Dr Sumaiya Mulla, Dr Jayesh Brahmabhatt, Dr Sangita Rajdev, and students at Government Medical College, Surat.
- What
- The Microbiology department head was suspended after the alleged suicide of a postgraduate student following complaints of ragging.
- When
- Dr Pandya was found dead on August 9; the health department later ordered a 90-day suspension and issued a show-cause notice.
- Where
- Government Medical College, Surat, including its campus hostel; Mulla will serve the suspension at Government Medical College, Vadodara.
- Why
- The action was taken in connection with the student’s death and allegations that complaints about ragging by seniors were not addressed.
- Suspended official
- Dr Sumaiya Mulla, head of the Microbiology Department
- Suspension duration
- 90 days
- Student
- Dr Harsh Pandya, a first-year postgraduate Microbiology student
- Date of death
- August 9
- Institution
- Government Medical College, Surat
- Additional action
- Show-cause notice issued to Dean Dr Jayesh Brahmabhatt
- Legal provisions
- Accused doctors were booked under BNS Sections 127(2), 352 and 54, along with relevant sections of the Atrocity Act