Harsimrat writes to Nadda, seeks action against AIIMS security manager

Bathinda: Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has urged Union health minister J P Nadda to take action against a senior security manager of AIIMS Bathinda , accusing him of indulging in sexual harassment and corruption.

In a letter to the minister, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader stated that complaints were submitted to the office of the deputy commissioner detailing how the senior security officer abused his position to coerce woman security personnel into inappropriate relationships.

She stated that despite multiple notices and reminders to the AIIMS management to submit a report in this regard since April 2024, the same was not submitted.

Harsimrat said the officer, who was terminated from his last job for indulging in sexual harassment, continued to conduct recruitments at AIIMS through dubious front companies despite being removed from the responsibility of conducting recruitments.

The MP said the security officer was also accused of accepting bribes worth lakhs from newly recruited security personnel, who were recruited in place of 40 permanent security staff that were arbitrarily dismissed within a span of five months.

"These actions amount not only to gross corruption but also compromise the integrity of the institution," Harsimrat mentioned in the letter, adding that it seemed the officer was being shielded by the higher authorities who might have a vested interest in this act of corruption.

The parliamentarian, calling for a probe into the issue, stated that this was not a case of individual misconduct but concerned the integrity of recruitment and oversight mechanisms at AIIMS.

She said such systematic failure, if left unchecked, threatened the safety of employees, especially women, besides tarnishing the reputation of the premier health institute.

AIIMS Bathinda, meanwhile, stated: "AIIMS strongly condemns and dissociates itself from any act of corruption, exploitation, or misconduct. We categorically state that such activities have no place within our institution."

"The individual concerned against whom allegations have been raised was never an employee of AIIMS Bathinda. AIIMS Bathinda has zero tolerance for any such unethical practices and has always taken prompt and decisive action to safeguard the integrity of our institution and the dignity of our staff, especially women employees. We wish to reaffirm to the public that AIIMS Bathinda remains committed to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance," read the statement.

MSID:: 123903194 413 |