HOWRAH: A laboratory technician at Howrah District Hospital has been arrested for allegedly molesting and physically abusing a 14-year-old female patient inside the hospital laboratory late on Saturday night. The minor has been hospitalized in a traumatized state and is receiving treatment and counselling.
Howrah police commissioner Praveen Kumar Tripathi said Aman Raj was arrested for molesting and torturing the minor. The police have filed a case against Raj under molestation and Pocso (protection of children from sexual offences) Act.
According to hospital and police sources, the 14-year-old girl was admitted on Aug 28 with complaints of chest pain. Around 10 pm on Saturday, she was being taken to the laboratory for a CT scan when the technician allegedly molested her. The girl immediately informed her family.
A female hospital staff member on duty at the time said she heard the girl screaming from the CT scan room. She initially thought it was due to fear but shortly after, the girl rushed out of the lab and revealed to her that the technician had inappropriately touched her private parts, forcibly kissed her and threatened to kill her by administering a sedative injection if she told anyone.
As the news spread and there was a commotion, others present at the hospital gathered at the spot and the police were informed. The incident caused alarm in the hospital.
The girl's father, a computer mechanic, said that they were feeling helpless following the incident. "We cannot afford a private hospital for her treatment. If such horrible experiences occur in a govt hospital, what will we do? My daughter has become very traumatised," he said.
Following the incident, security measures have been increased at the hospital. However, no official response has been received from the hospital authorities on the matter till last reports came.
Howrah chief medical officer of health (CMOH) Kisalay Datta said that Raj was an employee of a healthcare institute working in PPP model with Howrah District Hospital. A show-cause notice has been issued to the healthcare institute after the incident.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
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