Fortis hospital rape case: Police denies sexual assault of patient
Gurugram: In a twist to the case wherein the 21-year-old tuberculosis patient admitted to Fortis Hospital Gurugram, had alleged rape by a man in the ICU when she was unconscious during the treatment, the police report has denied any concrete proof that sexual assault had taken place.
According to the police statement, interrogation of the hospital staff, scanning of the CCTV footage and statement of the woman has not confirmed rape.
More so, the police are planning to quash the FIR.
Medical Dialogues had reported about the alleged incident which had come to light when the woman gained consciousness after six days and wrote the name of her alleged rapist when her parents came to visit her. Whether the accused is a hospital staff or not is yet to be known.
Police and the hospital management were tightlipped on who the accused is, but sources said only hospital attendants and patients' relatives were allowed inside the ICU.
On the basis of the complaint filed by the patient's father, an FIR has been registered by the police and the investigation has been launched to probe the case.
The patient suffers from tuberculosis and was admitted to a private hospital here on October 21. Due to breathing problems, she was placed on a ventilator.
She attained consciousness on October 27 and complained through gestures to her father that she was abused by a man at the hospital. Further, she reportedly handed a three-page letter to her father.
Police registered a case after the woman's father registered an FIR in the Sushant Lok police station. After receiving the complaint, the police tried to get her statement but the doctors said that she is not in a condition to speak.
National Commission for Women (NCW) had taken cognizance of the patient's allegations. The hospital administration had also been directed to send an action taken report in the matter, the NCW added in its statement.
Also Read:Fortis Hospital Shocker: TB patient admitted to ICU alleges rape, FIR registered
Now, in a surprise turn in the case, the police have denied sexual assault in its report.
"The woman was on ventilator at the hospital and was undergoing treatment; she was off ventilator on Saturday on the suggestion of the doctors. The investigation team led by nodal officer of the case ACP Usha Kundu, has recorded the statement of the woman in front of her family members and medical officials and as per the investigation and recording of the CCTV footage of the hospital, has not confirmed rape," Commissioner of Gurugram police K.K. Rao told IANS.
However, the police have recorded the woman's statement under section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) but the final statement of the woman yet to be recorded in front of duty magistrate under section 164 of the CrPC.
"During investigations we didn't find any concrete evidence which supports the woman's allegations in connection with the case. The police are closely investigating the entire incident and have questioned 1,800 employees of the staff and out of these 12 persons with name of Vikas were separately questioned which the woman had earlier suggested as suspect. The probe team has also scanned entire CCTV footage of the hospital but nothing supports the allegations of the woman," he said.
A one-page statement of the patient was recorded at the hospital on Saturday. The police noticed discrepancies in the woman's statement and took the decision of quashing the FIR, reports Times Now
Meanwhile, the Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW), Vice-chairperson Preeti Bhardwaj visited the hospital to take stock of the case.
"A team of the HSCW has visited the hospital to look after the woman's health condition. The woman is recovering well and was off ventilator on Saturday. The team has discussed the matter with the woman and her family member in detail and they were satisfied with the investigation. She is also getting better treatment in the hospital and a designated team of the doctors is observing her health condition," Bhardwaj said.
The hospital said in a statement that they will extend all possible help towards the investigation into the case.
"The patient came to the hospital in an extremely critical condition and we are glad to inform that with continuous efforts of our medical team, the patient is consistently improving, and she is stable now. Post today's development, we understand that police have issued an update on this case. We continue to support the authorities to conclude the investigation," the statement said.
"With 58 per cent female staff, women's dignity and safety is our utmost priority and we have acted in accordance with this ethos from the very start. We have full faith in our system and know that truth and justice will prevail," it said, quotes ANI.
