'He touched me inappropriately': On-duty nurse allegedly molested by patient at Birbhum Hospital

Kolkata: A nurse at a government hospital in Birbhum district, West Bengal, was allegedly molested and verbally abused by a male patient. The accused, who was undergoing treatment is alleged to have inappropriately touched the nurse while she was administering saline on Saturday night.

Following a complaint from the hospital authorities to the police, the accused was arrested. On Sunday, doctors and health staff from the hospital held a rally demanding 24/7 security for medical personnel.

According to the PTI report, "The patient started abusing me as soon as he arrived," the nurse said, adding, "I ignored and started treating him, but suddenly he touched me inappropriately while I was administering saline."

"A man who came in with high fever late on Saturday night tried to outrage the modesty of an on-duty nurse at Illambazar block hospital. The hospital authorities immediately informed police who arrested him and sent him to Bolpur sub-divisional hospital for treatment," Birbhum Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Himadri Ari told PTI.

According to an ANI report, Union Minister and BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged molestation of a nurse in Birbhum, blaming her for the failure of the administration and police system.

Majumdar added that Banerjee has no moral right to remain in office and it would benefit Bengal if she stepped down.

"The administration has completely failed and the police system here has completely broken down. If anyone is responsible for all this, it is Mamata Banerjee, so she has no moral right to remain in her post. It would be good for Bengal if Mamata Banerjee leaves her post," Majumdar told ANI.

Earlier on Sunday, another case involving the alleged molestation of a minor girl in the Howrah Government Hospital came to light, the superintendent of HGH said.

According to Superintendent of HGH Narayan Chattopadhyay, an FIR has been registered at Howrah Police Station with the subsequent arrest of the accused. State BJP Secretary Umesh Rai said that the incident happened on Saturday night when the victim, who was already admitted to the hospital, had to undergo a CT scan. The superintendent of HGH also informed that they are providing security to the victim and her family members, news agency ANI reported.

These incidents come in the wake of the recent rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

Doctors have been holding protests in different states demanding justice for the victim and enhanced security laws for healthcare professionals.

The incident has triggered a war of words between the BJP, with the latter demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation from the local police following an order from the Calcutta High Court.

Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident.