Kozhikode MCH Sexual Assault Case: Survivor resumes stir seeking probe report

Kozhikode: After failing to obtain a copy of the police investigation report on her complaint against the gynaecologist, the survivor of the sexual assault case at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH) has started a sit-in protest in front of the city police commissioner's office.

This comes after the North Zone Inspector General of Police K Sethuraman IPS failed to keep his promise to provide the police investigation report within three days to the survivor despite the Chief Minister’s Office intervention.  

On April 18, the survivor launched an indefinite strike in front of the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner. Later, she called it off on April 24 after Sethuraman made the promise when the Chief Minister’s Office ordered him to carry out the probe and submit a report within 5 days. 

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However, the survivor once again resumed her sit-in protest from yesterday until she receive the report. In the morning, she initiated the protest and later in the afternoon, she met Sethuraman. Once again, he assured her that he would approach the commissioner to request a report regarding the incident where the victim was halted by the police while searching for the complaint's file number amidst the strike.

Speaking to Kerala Kaumudi, North Region IG K Sethuraman said, "There are technical hurdles in providing the information on the case which is under trial and legal advice should be sought in this regard."

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the survivor of the sexual assault case at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH) has lodged a formal complaint against a gynaecologist for failing to gather scientific evidence and inaccurately documenting her statement. She also threatened to organize a demonstration if the police did not take appropriate action.

Demanding legal action against the gynaecologist, the survivor urged the City Police Commissioner and the officials to provide her with a copy of the investigation report within 48 hours. Failing to do so, she warned that she would resume her protest and announced her plan to hold a demonstration outside the commissioner's office.

In March 2023, a woman patient admitted to the post-surgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital was allegedly raped by a 55-year-old employee at the hospital on March 18. The victim claimed that the employee exploited her while she was in a semi-conscious state after undergoing thyroid surgery at the medical college hospital.

Following this, five hospital staff were suspended for attempting to influence the accused and Chief Nursing Officer and Nursing Superintendent were transferred for failing to address a complaint filed by a Senior Nursing Officer who stood by the rape survivor in the case.

Also read- Kozhikode MCH Sexual Assault Case: Complaint Filed Against Gynaecologist