Thiruvananthapuram Hospital doctor arrested over alleged sexual assault attempt on house surgeon

Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking incident, a senior doctor at Nedumangad District Hospital has been arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a junior woman doctor undergoing house surgery training, police said.

The accused, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested from his residence on Saturday morning.

According to the police, the alleged incident took place around noon on Friday, when the senior doctor allegedly called the junior doctor to his private consultation room at his residence and attempted to sexually assault her.

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The woman doctor reportedly managed to escape from the room and subsequently informed her colleagues about the alleged incident. With their assistance, she approached the Nedumangad police station and lodged a formal complaint.

Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under charges pertaining to rape and launched an investigation. A police officer at the Nedumangad police station said that the accused would be produced before a court later in the day. The police also confirmed that the woman's physical condition was stable.

Meanwhile, the incident triggered protests outside the Nedumangad police station on Friday night, with Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) workers alleging that the police had delayed taking action despite receiving the woman's complaint.

Speaking to Onmanorama, Health Minister Muraleedharan said the government would take action against the doctor. "There is no doubt that action will be taken against the doctor. His track record is not very good, as far as I understand. However, I do not want to comment further before examining the details. Action will certainly follow".

He further stressed that incidents of this nature should never occur and that ensuring the safety of women doctors was the government's responsibility.

"Strong action will be taken against any element that stands in the way of ensuring their protection. It will be done immediately," he said.

Responding to questions about the alleged delay in police action after the junior doctor filed her complaint, the minister said the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Home Department.

Meanwhile, Bindhu Krishna, the Minister for Women and Child Development, said that the government will investigate if there has been any lapse on the part of the police, “I will speak with the Home Minister about this and look into matters. What is truly disturbing is that even highly educated individuals continue to have such distorted mindsets," she added, reports the News Minute.

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