Srinagar, August 9, KDC: The investigation into the alleged harassment of a female engineer by Dr. Shabir Ahmad Shah, Medical Superintendent at Government Dental College (GDC) Srinagar, has concluded, and all eyes are on the government regarding the future course of action.
According to the Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, the probe panel, led by Professor Altaf Hussain Chalkoo, has submitted its report to the Secretary of Health and Medical Education (H&ME) within the stipulated timeframe.
Principal of GDC, Professor Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Shah, confirmed to Kashmir Dot Com that the report had been forwarded to the government but declined to reveal the mode of submission, citing confidentiality.
Sources indicate that the report was submitted offline, which means its status cannot be easily tracked, unlike submissions made online.
Now, all eyes are on the Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department to see whether he will take action over the report.
The inquiry was prompted by a controversial incident on July 9, 2024, when the female Junior Engineer from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department alleged that Dr. Shah verbally abused and harassed her after finding that his name was omitted from the marble plaque of a newly inaugurated flag structure at the college.
The alleged abuse reportedly caused her to nearly faint and led to a boycott of further work by engineers and contractors involved with the project.
In response to the incident, the LG’s advisor, R. R. Bhatnagar, had previously summoned the Dental College authorities and R&B officials to discuss the matter and urged the GDC to implement remedial measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The next steps will depend on the government’s review of the submitted report. (KDC)
