Accused arrested on Monday, 20 March; Health Minister Veena George orders a thorough probe and seeks a detailed report.
Representational image.
The Medical College Police in Kozhikode on Monday, 20 March, arrested a Grade-I nursing assistant for allegedly raping a woman, who was undergoing treatment in the state-run hospital’s post-operative intensive care unit (ICU).
The accused, identified only as Saseendran (53) of Vadakara, has been suspended from service after the alleged incident shocked the state.
Health Minister Veena George ordered a probe and sought a report from Thomas Mathew, the director of Medical Education.
The woman was reportedly semi-conscious when the man allegedly violated her on Saturday, 18 March.
Station House Officer of the Kozhikode City Medical College Police station Benny Lalu told South First that the accused has been charged under sections 364 (kidnap) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.
“We have arrested the accused a few minutes ago,” the officer said, adding that further details could be shared only after a detailed probe.
The alleged crime was committed close on the heels of an attempted rape at the Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram.
An auto-rickshaw driver, Shameer alias Bombay Shameer, was arrested for trying to rape a 16-year-old girl on 24 February this year. The girl’s sister and Shameer’s wife were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Incidentally, a woman who suffered burns was allegedly raped in the washroom of the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on 12 July, 2002.
The incident had then rocked the state Assembly with the Opposition LDF alleging that the accused, Subramaniyam, was a member of the Hospital Development Committee.
Refuting this, the government said that the accused was not connected to the hospital. Subramaniyam reportedly offered to wash the badly-burnt woman’s body for ₹100 and raped her in the washroom.
Director of Medical Education Thomas told South First that prima facie there is evidence against the accused and he has been suspended from service with immediate effect.
“The minister has ordered an inquiry and we have suspended the accused from service. Already the police are investigating the matter,” he said.
Thomas said the accused nursing assistant inappropriately touched the woman’s body. He also added that to ensure such instances do not repeat, strong action should be initiated against the accused, besides conducting training sessions.
South First asked about the functioning of CCTV cameras in hospitals. “We are installing CCTV cameras in all hospitals and the process is ongoing. But rules do not allow us to set up CCTV cameras in ICUs so that the patients’ privacy could be protected,” Mathew said.
“Even without CCTV footage, the hospital authorities concerned gathered the details and the police are conducting a probe.
Health Minister George was not available for comments. Her private secretary said she was busy in a meeting.
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