Rape allegations rock Medanta: Patient Alleges Sexual Assault by Hospital Staff While on Ventilator

Gurugram:  A 46-year-old trainee air hostess has lodged a police complaint alleging sexual assault by a ward staffer while she was on the ventilator in the ICU during treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. While hospital authorities did not refute the claims, they stated that they are cooperating with the police and that the allegations have not yet been substantiated. 

The woman stated in her complaint that although two nurses were present during the incident, they neither intervened nor helped her. She further alleged that she was in a weakened state, which left her unable to fight the ward staffer’s sexual assault.

Police investigating the case said they are examining CCTV footage of the hospital to identify the perpetrator, and a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the matter. 

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According to a latest TOI news report, the sexual assault took place after the woman, a native of West Bengal, was admitted to the hospital after she nearly drowned in a swimming pool while undergoing the training programme with a major airline.

Following the accident, her husband immediately took her to a small private hospital and admitted her there on April 5. On the same day, her husband discharged her and then shifted her to Medanta Hospital for emergency treatment, which went on for a week. While she was on a ventilator in the ICU, the hospital staff reportedly sexually assaulted her. After being discharged, she told her husband about the incident and then approached the police.

The woman told police, as reported by India Today, that while she was unconscious and connected to life support, she sensed inappropriate physical contact from hospital staff but was unable to move, scream, or resist due to her critical condition. According to a PTI report, the woman claimed that 'during the assault two nurses were around her but they did not intervene'.

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered against unidentified staff members of the hospital at Sadar police station on Monday, and an investigation has been launched. 

“The victim’s statement has been recorded before the magistrate in the court. The police team is examining the footage of the hospital’s CCTV cameras and will soon identify the accused,” a Gurugram Police spokesperson said. 

Deputy Commissioner of police (East) Gaurav told HT, "A special investigation team led by Sadar ACP Yashwant has been constituted, given the seriousness of the allegations. The team has collected CCTV camera footage from the hospital and is questioning employees who may have interacted with the patient during her stay."

The DCP added that the investigation was being conducted from all angles and, considering the sensitivity of the case, further details could not be disclosed at this stage.

Hospital response

In response to the allegations, Medanta Hospital released a statement acknowledging that the allegations had been made and it has taken them seriously. They stated that they are fully cooperating with the police investigation and have handed over CCTV footage and relevant documents in connection with the case.

"We have been made aware of a complaint from a patient and have been cooperating with the investigations conducted by relevant authorities. At this stage, no allegations have been substantiated, and all relevant documents, including CCTV footage from the hospital for the time period in question, have been handed over to the police. We remain committed to supporting the process of investigation," read the statement. 

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