AIIMS suspends top surgeon after reports of sexual harassment reach PMO

The action came after a series of complaints were made by the AIIMS Nurses' Union to the institute’s director- Representative photo

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has suspended Dr AK Bisoi as the head of its Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department following a complaint of harassment by a female nursing officer, according to a report by NDTV.

The decision was taken after a series of complaints from the AIIMS Nurses' Union  reached the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Bisoi was accused of sexual harassment, use of vulgar language, and workplace intimidation.

The order cited a complaint dated September 30 from a female nursing officer, along with representations from the AIIMS Nurses' Union.  However, the matter gained urgency after the union escalated the complaint to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on October 9, detailing the victim’s ordeal and the administration's inaction.

"In view of the complaint dated 30.09.2025 received from a female nursing officer of the Department of CTVS against Dr. A.K. Bisoi, Professor and Head of CTVS, and the representations in that regard received from the AIIMS Nurses' Union dated 30.09.2025, 04.10.2025, and 07.10.2025, the Director has assigned the charge of Head of the Department of CTVS to Dr. V. Devagourou, Professor of CTVS, with immediate effect, till further orders," the institute's official order stated as quoted by NDTV.

The institute has handed over the charge to Dr V Devagourou, a senior professor in the same department, with immediate effect.

In its letter to the PMO and AIIMS Director, the Nurses' Union alleged thatBisoi had repeatedly used "vulgar, unprofessional, and derogatory language" targeting female nursing staff. "We have received information that during his morning rounds, Dr Bisoi intimidated nurses by openly threatening to teach a lesson to those who had complained against him. This amounts to retaliation and has created a hostile environment where nurses fear reprisal for raising genuine concerns," the complaint stated.

The union also accused Dr Bisoi of threatening to remove the complainant from her clinical posting as retaliation.

However, this is not the first time that Bisoi has faced disciplinary action. According to the NDTV report, he was suspended by the Union Health Ministry in 2009 over alleged irregularities. He also faced similar harassment complaints in 2019, though no action was taken then. In 2012, he was also suspended on charges of medical negligence.