Women police recruits undergo medical in presence of men in MP, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan assures action

BHIND: Days after the writing of caste category on police recruits' chests in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district triggered a controversy, a fresh incident of male candidates undergoing a physical test in the presence of women in the same room during recruitment of police constables in Bhind has now come to light on Wednesday.

The shocking incident came to light after a video was shared on social media.

According to media reports, the male candidates, sporting only undergarments, were examined in the presence of women recruits in the same room by a team of Bhind district hospital doctors. 

The male recruits were reportedly asked to strip in front of female candidates.

If reports are to be believed, no female doctors were arranged for women constables and their medical examination was also conducted by male doctors in the presence of male candidates. 

Nearly 217 male and female candidates were reportedly admitted for training in police jobs and mandatory medical tests were being carried out.

A total of 18 female and 21 male candidates were examined by the doctors.

The medical examination of candidates at the Bhind district hospital was part of the ongoing recruitment drive by the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Soon after the news spread, Chambal Zone Inspector General of Police Santosh Singh said that he had come to know about it through the media only and that the authorities had taken a strict view of it.

Singh also assured that strict action will be taken against the erring officials.

The Bhind district administration later said that the senior district officials were looking into the matter.

Taking a strong note of the incident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.

"We are taking this matter very seriously. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible. A probe is also underway," Chouhan told reporters here.

The shocking incident came to light days after candidates appearing for the post of police constable in Madhya Pradesh had their castes stamped on their chests during the physical examination on April 28. 

Candidates for post of Constables labelled with their respective caste on their chest during medical examination at a district hospital in Dhar. Superintendent of Police Birendra Singh says, 'it is a serious matter & we have ordered investigation' #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/hKUbChuDSA — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2018

Confirming a probe into the labelling of candidates, Superintendent of Police Birendra Singh had said that the matter was a “serious” one.

He was quoting as saying by ANI that “it is a serious matter and we have ordered an investigation.”

Reacting to the incident, Union minister Ramdas Athawale later termed it as an insult to members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, adding that he would seek stern action against erring officials.

“Such an incident is an insult to SC/ ST. I'll write to MP CM over the incident. Appropriate action should be taken against officials responsible for it,” said Athawale.

The Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr RC Panika also expressed his distress following the incident, saying, "This matter is quite serious, we will look into it and we will launch an investigation."

(With Agency inputs)