AIIMS Surgeon Suspended Following Harassment Complaint Escalated to Prime Minister's Office

Dr AK Bisoi has been suspended following harassment allegations from nursing staff (File)

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has suspended Dr AK Bisoi from his position as head of the Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department after a female nursing officer filed a harassment complaint.

The suspension came after multiple complaints from the AIIMS Nurses' Union escalated to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), with allegations including harassment, use of vulgar language, and workplace intimidation against the senior surgeon.

AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas has issued an official order transferring the departmental leadership to senior professor Dr V Devagourou with immediate effect "till further orders."

The official order referenced a complaint dated September 30 from a female nursing officer, alongside several representations from the AIIMS Nurses' Union.

According to the order, "In view of the complaint dated 30.09.2025 received from a female nursing officer of the Department of CTVS against Dr. A.K. Bisoi, Professor and Head of CTVS, and the representations in that regard received from the AIIMS Nurses' Union dated 30.09.2025, 04.10.2025, and 07.10.2025, the Director has assigned the charge of Head of the Department of CTVS to Dr. V. Devagourou, Professor of CTVS, with immediate effect, till further orders."

The Nurses' Union escalated their concerns to the PMO on October 9, claiming the institute's administration had failed to act and describing the situation as "a case of workplace bullying and harassment."

In communications addressed to both the PMO and AIIMS Director, the union alleged that Dr Bisoi repeatedly used "vulgar, unprofessional, and derogatory language" toward female nursing staff. Their complaint stated, "We have received information that during his morning rounds, Dr Bisoi intimidated nurses by openly threatening to teach a lesson to those who had complained against him. This amounts to retaliation and has created a hostile environment where nurses fear reprisal for raising genuine concerns."

The union further accused Dr Bisoi of threatening to remove the complainant from her clinical posting as retaliation. They characterized his remarks as "deeply derogatory," constituting character assassination and gender-based humiliation.

Sources indicate the inquiry remains ongoing, with plans to refer the matter to the institute's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for thorough investigation. While Dr Bisoi has been relieved of administrative responsibilities, he continues to be affiliated with the institute pending investigation results.

Senior medical staff note this represents one of the rare cases in recent years where a department head has been removed following such allegations.

NDTV attempted to contact Dr AK Bisoi for comment regarding the allegations, but received no response. The AIIMS media representative also did not respond to inquiries about the inquiry committee's decision.

This is not Dr Bisoi's first encounter with disciplinary action. In 2009, the Union Health Ministry suspended him over alleged irregularities. Similar harassment complaints emerged in 2019, though they did not result in disciplinary measures. In 2012, he faced suspension on charges of medical negligence.

The AIIMS Nurses' Union has expressed expectations for a "fair and transparent" investigation, stating, "We trust that the administration will ensure accountability and uphold the dignity of the nursing community."