UP Government Hospital radiologist assaulted after molestation allegation during ultrasound

Siddharthnagar: A radiologist posted at a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district was allegedly assaulted by the family members of a young woman preparing for NEET after they accused him of touching her private parts during an ultrasound examination. The doctor denied the allegation, claiming that the assault was linked to an earlier dispute over a patient’s treatment at a government hospital.

The incident took place on October 13 near the Bansi Kotwali crossroads, around 22 km from the district headquarters. A video of the alleged assault later surfaced, after which the doctor told the Daily. Denying the molestation allegation, he maintained that he had been falsely implicated in the matter. “I have been framed,” he said.

The doctor, a Gorakhpur resident posted as a radiologist at a government hospital, said he reached his rented accommodation above a private diagnostic and pathology centre around 2 pm after completing his government duty. He explained that he lived there because the government hospital did not provide accommodation. He also occasionally conducted ultrasound examinations at the centre.

According to the doctor, a young woman from Rapti Nagar in Bansi visited the centre complaining of stomach pain. She had reportedly been living in Lucknow for around one-and-a-half years while preparing for NEET. Although she did not have a doctor's prescription, he said he proceeded with the ultrasound examination.

During the examination, the doctor reportedly asked about her studies and learnt that she was preparing for NEET and studying for around five hours a day. He claimed that he advised her to devote more time to her preparation, completed the examination, handed over the report and saw her leave.

The doctor alleged that around an hour later, eight to 10 people arrived at the centre and questioned why he had conducted an ultrasound on a young woman who was alone. He claimed that the group then assaulted him, adding that the beating began before the video was recorded and continued even when police personnel were present. He further alleged that a person involved in an earlier dispute was among those who attacked him.

Linking the incident to a disagreement on May 30, the doctor said an argument had broken out at the government hospital over the treatment of a woman who was experiencing heavy bleeding. He claimed that he had recommended referring her to another hospital and prescribed medicines for immediate relief. The woman subsequently suffered a miscarriage, following which several people gathered at the hospital and confronted him over her treatment.

The doctor alleged that eight to 10 people had misbehaved with him and obstructed government work during that earlier incident. He said he had subsequently lodged a complaint against a local resident and several unidentified people. He believes the October assault was connected to that dispute and denied touching the young woman inappropriately.

Bansi Kotwali in-charge said, "The matter was brought to the police station. Both parties were called in and questioned, after which they reached a settlement. According to the police, neither party has submitted a written complaint so far," Bhaskar English reported.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer said he was unaware of the incident but noted that doctors posted at government hospitals were not permitted to practise at private ultrasound centres under the applicable rules.

He said the department would gather information and investigate the doctor's alleged private practice. The allegations concerning the young woman would also be examined, and action would be taken in accordance with the rules.