New Delhi — A leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth wing, Saurabh Singh, was booked by police on Thursday for allegedly sexually harassing a female doctor at Sagar Medical College and Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
Singh, who serves as the district president of the BJP’s Yuva Morcha in Sagar, was arrested after a complaint filed by Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a faculty member at the college’s obstetrics‑gynecology department, alleged that Singh made unsolicited sexual remarks and attempted physical contact on March 30.
According to the Sagar police, the complaint was lodged after Dr. Sharma reported the incident to the hospital’s administration, which then informed the authorities. The police FIR cites “unlawful sexual harassment” under the Madhya Pradesh State Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Singh was taken into custody, produced before a magistrate, and remanded for 14 days.
The incident sparked a protest by students and staff at the college on Thursday. Demonstrators blocked the main entrance, demanding swift action and a safe working environment for medical personnel. The protest was dispersed after the police filed the FIR and secured the premises.
BJP spokesperson Ramesh Mishra said the party “takes any allegation of misconduct seriously” and that Singh would be given a “fair opportunity to present his side.” The party has not suspended Singh pending the investigation.
Legal analysts note that the case falls under both the state harassment law and the Indian Penal Code’s provisions on sexual harassment, which can carry imprisonment of up to three years. The outcome will depend on the evidence presented, including any CCTV footage, witness statements, and the doctor’s medical examination report, which police have not yet disclosed.
Analysis: The filing of a police FIR against a BJP youth leader underscores heightened scrutiny of political figures in India’s states, especially after recent national debates over workplace harassment. If convicted, Singh could face legal penalties and party disciplinary action, potentially affecting the BJP’s local organizational dynamics in Sagar, a district where the party retains a strong electoral base. The protest by medical staff also reflects growing willingness among professional groups to publicly challenge alleged abuse, a trend amplified by social media coverage of similar incidents nationwide.
Sources
– “BJP Yuva Morcha leader booked for ‘sexually harassing’ doctor inside Madhya Pradesh hospital,” The Indian Express, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-bjp-yuva-morcha-leader-booked-sagar-medical-college-doctor-harassment-juda-protest-10770319/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
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