Sexual harassment at Cuttack hospital; accused official held

A shocking case of sexual harassment emerged from a government-run health centre under Cuttack Sadar police limits on Thursday. A married public health manager has been accused by a woman doctor and a woman pharmacist of sustained sexual and mental harassment over months.

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According to official sources, the disturbing case of sexual harassment has surfaced from a rural health centre under Sadar police limits in Cuttack district. Two women healthcare professionals, a doctor and a pharmacist, have lodged an FIR at the local police station against Public Health Manager Nisith Ranjan Sahu, posted at the same hospital.

As per the complaint, Sahu allegedly made lewd remarks and subjected the two women employees to physical and mental harassment over the past several months. Despite repeated objections raised by the victims, the harassment reportedly continued unabated.

The pharmacist, in particular, alleged that Sahu, who is married, persistently proposed a romantic relationship to her. Adding to the gravity of the allegations, Sahu is accused of threatening the women with job transfers, claiming he had strong connections with senior health officials.

The matter was reportedly brought to the attention of departmental authorities, including Additional Urban Primary Health Officer (AUPHO) Satyabrata Mahapatra and other higher-ups. However, no action was taken.

Left with no choice, the two victims finally approached the police. Following the complaint, Cuttack Sadar Police arrested Nisith Sahu and produced him in court.

However, there has been no official response yet from the Health Department or the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) in this regard.

“He (Nisith) used to touch my hands on the pretext of signing. I was unable to understand this as I had just joined the office. Subsequently, I realised why he alone was touching me, whereas no one else was doing so,” the doctor stated to OTV.

“He always stands very close to women employees, so that one would not get sufficient space to move and his body would come in contact, which can be verified from CCTV footage,” the woman doctor added, with tears in her eyes.