The Bombay High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Dr. Ravindra Deokar, a senior faculty member at the civic-run KEM Hospital, who is facing allegations of molesting six women doctors.

The court emphasized the need to consider the “emotional and psychological trauma” suffered by the complainants.

On May 8, Justice Rajesh Patil denied relief to Deokar, an additional professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine, stating that his influential position had enabled a prolonged pattern of inappropriate behaviour.

The six assistant professors accused Deokar of inappropriately touching them and making lewd remarks. The court noted that many of the victims had been reluctant to speak out earlier due to fear of professional repercussions and emotional distress.

Observing that granting bail could lead to potential intimidation or retaliation against the complainants, the bench held that Deokar’s release could endanger both the safety of the victims and the workplace environment.

“The emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the victims, who are in the formative years of their medical careers, cannot be overlooked,” the court said. “Protecting women’s dignity in institutions like hospitals is both a moral and legal obligation.”

A case has been registered against Deokar at Bhoiwada police station. He was suspended following the complaint, but in his plea, Deokar alleged that the accusations stemmed from internal hospital politics and personal animosity.

Notably, the court pointed out that Deokar had served on the hospital’s Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH Act—a fact it found particularly disturbing given the nature of the allegations.

The court also recalled a previous complaint filed against Deokar by another woman doctor in 2021, suggesting a pattern of misconduct.

Justice Patil observed that Deokar remains suspended, not dismissed, and could potentially return to his post if he is cleared in departmental proceedings. This, the court reasoned, further justified the rejection of pre-arrest bail.

The bench also highlighted that more individuals, including medical students, have since come forward to file similar complaints, underscoring the seriousness of the case.