New Delhi, Apr 20 (IANS): The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday took cognizance of the alleged suicide attempt by a doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

The Resident Doctors Association of AIIMS on Sunday had written to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan over caste and gender-based harassment of the doctor at the institute.

The NCW then wrote to Health Secretary Preeti Sudan stating that the Commission has taken cognizance of this incident. It asked for an immediate inquiry and details of the action being taken in the case, and said the report should be sent at the earliest to the Commission.

The Commission stated that "The National Commission for Women is concerned in the matter, and requests that inquiry shall be done in the alleged harassment, and action be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. Further, measures should be taken to ensure safety and security of women staff and doctors in all AIIMS Departments."

The association, led by President Adarsh Pratap Singh, stated that the doctor made several appeals, but action was not taken. The behaviour of the administration and the institute committee led the resident doctor to take this step.

"She has also written to Women's Grievance Cell and SC-ST Welfare Cell at AIIMS, New Delhi and National SC-ST Commission, New Delhi, but no appropriate action has been taken", Singh said.