HYDERABAD: The controversy at Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute(BIACH and RI) took another turn on Thursday. Dr VVTS Prasad, who was heading research and development cell of the hospital, was suspended on Wednesday evening and was not allowed to enter the office on Thursday. Dr Prasad responded by staging a dharna outside the hospital, with the support of at least eight others associated with the research and development cell at the hospital.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Dr Prasad said that around 12 reasons were given for his suspension in the ‘chargesheet/suspension’ mail sent to him and that he was told to reply within seven days failing which he would be terminated. He said that the move was surprising as there is a pending court case filed by him against the hospital asking him to resign in 2009.

Dr Prasad had recently raised various allegations against the hospital management and had written a mail to National Human Rights Commission complaining of human rights violations.

While Dr Prasad was speaking to members of the media, a former woman employee of the hospital, who refused to identify herself, alleged that she had been sexually harassed by a senior staff member of the hospital after which she lodged a complaint with board members of the hospital in October last year. She claimed that after lodging the complaint her employment was terminated. She said that she had lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women on February 8.

Courtesy:-Indian Express