Dr Shaileshwar Natrajan allegedly ordered female students to demonstrate breast self-examination in front of the entire class.Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Kalwa on Tuesday suspended a senior professor who has been accused of sexually harassing students and staff members.Dr Shaileshwar Natrajan, who headed the surgery department, would order female students to demonstrate breast self-examination in front of the entire class, according to a complaint emailed by MBBS students to the college dean a week ago.During practicals, he would slip his hands inside female patients’ shirts while claiming to explain technicalities of dealing with chest ailments, it alleges.The email, which was also forwarded to the Thane police commissioner, sparked numerous other complaints of sexual harassment against Dr Natrajan by students and staff members of the college, which is attached to the civic-run Kalwa hospital.On Monday, 20 students complained against the professor to the college’s anti-sexual harassment committee and 10 staffers submitted a complaint. “Following the complaints, the management has suspended Dr Natrajan,” dean Dr Choity Maitra said.“The committee probing the allegations comprises a senior professor, a psychiatrist, an office superintendent, a social worker and another staffer. It will submit its report within 10 days. Appropriate action will be then taken against Dr Natrajan.”On Tuesday itself, some former students and some from the current final-year MBBS batch submitted their complaints against Dr Natrajan with the panel. However, no police complaint has been registered yet.A source in the management said that Dr Natrajan was an influential figure in the medical college. He, in fact, was considered second-in-command and tipped to replace Dr Maitra once her term ends.“Some nurses in the surgical ward had complained to senior authorities about his behaviour, but no action was taken,” said a student who deposed before the committee.“Around 30 students and staffers gave their statements in camera before the panel. They revealed the extent of harassment they faced from Dr Natrajan.”Current and former students have started a WhatsApp group to encourage others allegedly targeted by the senior professor to come forward with their complaints.The Kalwa police, meanwhile, have summoned students and staff members to record their statements. “Once the process is complete, we will start criminal proceedings against the professor,” said Inspector Ravikant Mahalekar. “The allegations levelled against him were very serious and we will book him.”A police team had visited the college on Monday and discussed filing of aformal complaint against him.