Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) came down heavily on the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College authorities for attempts to cast suspicion on Dr Haris Chirakkal following the probe into the missing equipment. The association held an executive committee meeting of the Thiruvananthapuram chapter and a Central Executive Committee meeting on Friday. In a press note issued on Saturday, the association said that false allegations were levelled against Dr Haris in the press meet and this can only be viewed as an act to frame him.

"Inspecting the room of the Head of Department in his absence and then sealing it is a wrongful act. Any inspection of equipment under the department head shall be done in concurrence with the person concerned, and he shall be informed about it. The room of an HOD is the room of the department. Even after the room was sealed, no receipt was issued. This is a violation of natural justice," the association said in the press note.

Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Principal Dr P K Jabbar Medical College superintendent Dr B S Sunilkumar held a press meet on Friday in which they made vague statements about a bill of purchase of morcelloscope. When confronted with repeated questions, Jabbar and Sunilkumar were evasive in their replies. It was perceived as a clear ploy to put Dr Haris under a cloud of doubt.

Later, Dr Haris busted the allegations and said that the equipment, which were presented as being newly bought, was in fact the accessories returned after repair. "All these facts would have been cleared if only the authorities had investigated properly. They should desist themselves from acts which lack logic," the association said.

According to the office bearers, they held talks with the Health Minister Veena George and they have been told that there won't be any vindicative steps against Dr Haris. "If the authorities go forward with the move to frame him and punish Dr Haris, the association will be forced to launch protest measures. Attempts to make faculties scapegoats will be resisted," the press note said.