Justice at Last: Kalwa Medical College Professor Sentenced for Molestation After 10 Years

Thane, Kalwa: In a landmark ruling, Dr. Shaileshwar Natarajan, a senior professor at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Thane's Kalwa region, has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment after being convicted of multiple molestation charges. The case, which had lingered for a decade, saw the professor convicted for inappropriately touching female students and staff, exploiting his position as a medical instructor.

Dr. Natarajan, arrested in 2014, had been suspended but was reinstated in 2016 after a departmental inquiry cleared him, albeit with a demotion. However, the persistence of over 20 women who courageously testified led to this court conviction, where the accused was found guilty of molestation and outraging women's modesty.

The prosecution highlighted that Natarajan took advantage of his teaching position to make inappropriate physical contact with students under the guise of medical instruction. The victims recalled uncomfortable encounters, including forced demonstrations of breast self-examinations and inappropriate touching of female patients.

The case stands as a significant victory for victims of sexual harassment in medical institutions, where institutional challenges often hinder justice. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Murlidhar Chandrakant Karkar commended the victims for their bravery, stating that some traveled back from their hometowns after completing their MBBS to testify.

Natarajan's defense claimed his actions were part of his teaching methods, but the court dismissed these claims, finding them unconvincing. With this conviction, justice has finally been served, bringing closure to the victims and setting a precedent for academic institutions to address harassment seriously.