The survivor expressed concerns over the handling of the inquiry, highlighting discrepancies and possible interference in the process.
File photo of the Kozhikode Medical College. (Supplied)
A patient who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by a hospital attendant within the confines of the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode in March is going to meet Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to seek justice and raise concerns about the ongoing investigation.
The survivor, whose identity is being protected, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by hospital attendant MM Saseendran on 18 March. Following the incident, Saseendran was suspended from service.
However, the survivor subsequently claimed that five other staff members were trying to threaten her into retracting her accusation against Saseendran.
The victim was admitted to the medical college hospital for thyroid surgery when the incident is alleged to have taken place.
The woman was shifted from the operation theatre to the ICU while she was still under anaesthesia. In her complaint to the police, she alleged that Saseendran — an attender in the ICU in the surgery section of the hospital — physically assaulted her there.
It is learnt that the incident happened when the other staff supposed to be present in the ICU had gone out to attend to another patient, who was in critical condition. The woman later told a nurse in the ICU about her experience and the authorities were informed.
A police case was filed against Saseendran, who reportedly embarked on a tour after the incident. He was reportedly taken into custody when he returned to Kozhikode the day after.
Saseendran has been suspended from service pending inquiry.
“I visited at least 50 offices in the last four months. I had to plead before ministers, the collector, and the commissioner for justice even before fully recovering from the post-surgery pain. Is this the ‘women’s safety’ that we speak of all the time? If this is what happens to victims who react, will anyone come forward to complain?” she told reporters at the Kerala Women’s Commission adalath.
The survivor disclosed her intentions to meet Kerala Health Minister Veena George and the Director of Medical Education as well, aiming to address the apparent flaws in the investigation.
A probe panel from the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), led by Joint Director of Medical Education Geetha Raveendran, has recorded her statement.
Subsequently, reports emerged that the DME had summoned the hospital staff, who supported the survivor, to the state capital as part of the inquiry.
The survivor expressed concerns over the handling of the inquiry, highlighting discrepancies and possible interference in the process.
She said: “There is a clear attempt to sabotage the probe into my complaint. While the DME has summoned the hospital staff who supported me, the former principal who issued the order to reinstate those who threatened me has not been called to give his statement.”
The survivor’s apprehensions extended to the actions of the internal inquiry committee, which reportedly revoked the suspension of the five staff members who allegedly threatened her to get her to back down from the case, before obtaining approval from the DME.
The survivor further stated that the internal inquiry committee members failed to approach her for her perspective, casting doubt on the integrity of the investigation.
The survivor also raised concerns about the ongoing investigation, claiming that it was not sufficiently impartial and that efforts appeared to have been made to shield the accused and influence potential witnesses.
In light of these concerns, the survivor said she planned to file a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Veena George, seeking a more transparent and just investigation into the matter.
“I don’t trust the current probe into the case. The medical college authority has been trying to protect the accused Saseendran. Some hospital staff pressured me to withdraw the case,” she alleged.
“I will seek the attention of the chief minister and the health minister into the lapses of the hospital in ensuring the safety of a patient inside the ICU. It is learnt that Saseendran has been visiting the hospital regularly. So, I can’t visit the doctor for my follow-up,” she added.
“The accused is currently out on bail. Further advances in the case will only be made based on a conclusive report of the committee assigned to investigate the matter,” said an official from the Medical College Police Station.
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