CHENNAI: Dr Ulhas M Pandurangi (59) of Madras Medical Mission (MMM) Hospital allegedly died by suicide at his residence in Valasaravakkam on Thursday. He was previously arrested by the Thirumangalam All Women Police in a sexual harassment case in 2024. A probe is under way to ascertain the reason for his extreme decision.
Ulhas, Chief of the Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing the MMM Hospital, was residing at Alwarthirunagar in Chennai. His wife, Mona, is also a doctor, working at Ramachandra Hospital.
The police said Ulhas was arrested in a sexual harassment case in 2024 based on a complaint filed by a woman who was working at the hospital. He was traced to Tirupathi from where he was arrested and brought to Chennai.
The woman had also written a letter to the National Commission for Women and the Chennai district collector about her ordeal. He was in jail for 15 days before he was released on bail. Sources said he was under mental stress after his arrest and would frequently stop going to work.
On Wednesday, when Ulhas was alone at home, he allegedly killed himself. Upon information, the Valasaravakkam police sent his body to a government hospital for a postmortem.
According to sources, Ulhas had nearly three decades of experience in the field of specialised cardiology. He had served as a faculty member at major national and international medical conferences, including the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS).
(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)