Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (MS)
Kundapura, May 31: A female colleague doctor has filed a complaint against Dr Robert Rebello, the medical officer of Kundapura Public Hospital, accusing him of sexual and mental harassment over the past six months.
Dr Robert Rebello has faced numerous accusations in the past. The latest complaint alleges that he has been harassing a woman doctor, who has been working on a contract basis for six months. The complaint has been lodged with the Kundapura police, and a case has been registered. Public outrage against the doctor is palpable, with warnings of protests if he is not arrested.
According to details, the victim is a 32-year-old married woman doctor who has been working in the NRC section under the NRHM project since October 2023. Allegations state that Dr Robert began sending obscene messages and engaging in inappropriate conversations with her shortly after she joined the hospital.
The complaint outlines that Dr Robert would send lewd messages to the victim's mobile phone after 10 pm or 11 pm, stating, "Consider me as your close friend. Are you happy with your husband? Does your husband look at your mobile?"
He would also make inappropriate comments about her personal life and appearance, such as, "Show your hidden beauty to me. You have to wear jeans and a t-shirt, darling. Send me your beautiful photos."
Dr Robert allegedly saved photos of the victim from her WhatsApp profile and status and would send them back to her with obscene messages. He also purportedly sent messages from various numbers, claiming to be overseas and staying in luxury hotels, and would entice her to accompany him, even sharing photos of himself with influential political leaders to persuade her.
Furthermore, Dr Robert allegedly pressured the woman doctor to have lunch and dinner with him during office hours, despite her repeated refusals. When she declined his advances, he reportedly resorted to profanity and threats, even going as far as threatening to tarnish her reputation by portraying her as a prostitute and jeopardising her job.
When approached by the media for comment on the accusations, Dr Robert Rebello was unavailable for contact.