Though Dr Arun Kumar denied the probe the Health Secretary, Sanjay Kumar, confirmed to a section of media that the interrogation had taken place by a team of health department officials.

“A team from our department visited the IGIMS today (Friday) to investigate a case of sexual harassment against the director of the health hub. An associate professor of the hospital had sent a complaint letter to the health department. Dr Arun Kumar told us that the woman had filed the complaint after he demoted her on grounds of not having requisite qualification,” the health secretary was quoted in The Telegraph.

Thirty-five year-old Dasgupta had on Sep 24, 2012 written a complaint letter to health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, accusing the IGIMS director of sexual harassment. The letter said Dr Arun Kumar had wanted to have an affair with her. When she repeatedly turned down the proposals, she was demoted on grounds of inadequate qualification.

Copies of the letter were sent to the chief minister, the Bihar Human Rights Commission, National and State Commissions for Women, the Chief Justice of Patna High Court, the director-general of Bihar police and the home department.

Dr Arun Kumar denied the allegations. He said the director has nothing to do with the day-to-day working. “Neither she has come to my chamber nor have I gone to her…I would move Patna High Court to defend myself against anyone levelling charges of sexual harassment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BHRC had sought report from health dept.