‘Emotional and continuously crying’: KEM Hospital sends MBBS student Sejal Pawar on 15-day leave

KEM Hospital and Medical College has placed MBBS student Sejal Pawar on a 15-day forced leave and barred her from entering the hospital campus, medical college and hostel premises following the controversy over a viral stand-up comedy video featuring comedian Pranit More.The action came after a preliminary inquiry by the institution. Officials said the inquiry confirmed that the person seen in the viral clip was the MBBS student. According to the hospital, the statements attributed to her in the video appeared inappropriate at first glance and were considered unacceptable.As an interim measure, Sejal has been handed over to her family and will not be allowed to take part in academic or other college-related activities during the 15-day period. The institution said the decision was also taken considering concerns about her safety and well-being amid strong reactions on social media.Hospital officials said Sejal became emotional during the inquiry and was continuously crying. They added that she had expressed regret over the incident in her statement. Citing concerns about her mental health, the institution advised her to undergo professional counselling to prevent depression or severe psychological stress.Meanwhile, KEM Hospital and Medical College has recommended the formation of a five-member committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter. The proposed panel will include a retired senior professor, a senior journalist and three faculty members from the medical college.The committee has been asked to examine the viral video, verify the facts and assess the wider impact of the controversy. It is expected to submit its report within seven days, after which the institution and relevant authorities will decide on any further action.The administration said it would not draw conclusions until the investigation is completed and that the inquiry would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.The controversy stems from clips of a stand-up comedy show featuring comedian Pranit More. On Saturday, More addressed the backlash in an emotional video on Instagram and admitted he had made a mistake during a crowd-work interaction.The controversy escalated after Maharashtra Cyber registered an FIR against Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra, Sejal Pawar and others over the alleged publication and circulation of obscene and objectionable content from a stand-up comedy show held in Gurugram and later shared on social media platforms.According to Maharashtra Cyber, the case relates to videos posted on YouTube and Instagram that allegedly contained offensive remarks about women, consent and deceased persons.Officials said one clip allegedly featured comments by the MBBS student regarding deceased male bodies and medical cadavers, while another allegedly contained remarks by Himanshu Jangra that portrayed women in a derogatory manner and trivialised issues of consent and dignity.The FIR was registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.The issue has also sparked a wider debate on stand-up comedy and freedom of expression. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde called for a ban on stand-up comedy shows and said she would write to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the matter.Responding to the debate, Fadnavis said freedom of expression must be protected but should be exercised responsibly.“The Constitution of India grants everyone the freedom of expression. However, it also establishes safeguards to ensure this freedom is not misused. When expression becomes unrestrained, it infringes upon the right of individuals in society to live with dignity,” he said.