Junior Doctor allegedly molested by undertrial prisoner inside Delhi jail, DCW issues notice to Director General of Prisons

New Delhi: A 31-year-old Junior resident doctor was allegedly molested by an undertrial prisoner at Mandoli jail in Delhi. The prisoner attempted to rape the doctor, but somehow she managed to escape. 

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to the Director General of Prisons after a woman doctor was allegedly molested by an undertrial prisoner. The incident occurred on Monday when the junior resident doctor was conducting a regular check-up of all the inmates, they said.

The doctor told the panel that when she went to the washroom on September 26, she found that the accused was already hiding there. The prisoner attempted to rape her, but she managed to escape and alert the security staff, according to DCW. The police received information about the incident from the jail's deputy superintendent.

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The doctor was contacted and counselled. Her medical examination was also conducted, a senior police officer said.

A case was registered under section 376 (rape), 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment, and in such attempt doing any act towards the commission of the offence) 307 (attempt to murder), 35 (When such act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention) and 506 (criminal intimidation), the officer said.

"This is a very serious matter and raises the issue of safety and security of the women staff working in jails, especially where male inmates are housed," the panel said.

The panel said it has issued a notice to Director General of Prisons seeking details of the FIR and enquiry report in the matter, it said.

The DCW has also sought to know the steps taken by authorities to ensure the safety of its female staff in Delhi jails.

The Commission has sought details of the Internal Complaints Committee constituted for each jail in Delhi. The details of complaints of sexual harassment received along with the action taken have also been enquired into, it said, adding that prison authorities have been asked to submit the response by October 3. DCW Chief Swati Maliwal said, "It a very unfortunate ordeal that a lady doctor working in jail had to undergo. She had to physically fight the man to somehow break free and escape. Efforts must be made to ensure that such acts are never repeated in the future." A case was registered under section 376 (rape), 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment, and in such attempt doing any act towards the commission of the offence) 307 (attempt to murder), 35 (When such act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention) and 506 (criminal intimidation), police said.

The accused is in jail in two cases of crime against women. He has been convicted in a 2020 case registered at Yamuna Depot Metro police station, police had added.

Jail authorities said they have increased security around the barracks to prevent any such incident in the future.

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