Fortis Hospital Shocker: TB patient admitted to ICU alleges rape, FIR registered
Gurugram: In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old tuberculosis patient admitted to Fortis Hospital Gurugram, has alleged rape by a man in the ICU when she was unconscious during the treatment from October 21 to 27.
The incident came 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.
According to recent media accounts, 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, as per IANS report.
Police have 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.
Police Commissioner Maqsood Ahmed informed ANI that the investigation has been initiated in the matter.
Police are trying to ascertain whether the accused is a worker in the hospital or not. The record of the hospital, CCTV footage are being scanned.
"The victim is not in a condition to record her statement. The statement of the victim will be taken only after clearance from the doctors. The case is being investigated. The parents of the woman do not even know whether the accused is an employee of the hospital or not. We are also questioning the hospital management about the incident. The situation will be clear only after the woman gives her statement. Further investigation is on," the DCP added.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the patient's allegations, reports ANI.
The NCW in its press note said "The Commission is perturbed by the reported incident and is concerned about the safety and security of women. Being concerned of such increasing crimes against women, the Commission has written to Commissioner of Police, Gurugram seeking adherence to guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs of completing probes in two months in cases of sexual assault."
"The Commission has also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter from the police. The Commission is perturbed by the reported negligence of hospitals and the lack of measures to ensure safety of women. NCW has written to the Managing Director and CEO of the concerned hospital for taking necessary action to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future," it said.
The hospital administration has also been directed to send an action taken report in the matter, the NCW added in its statement.
TOI quotes that Fortis in a statement. "The patient came to the hospital on October 21 with severe respiratory symptoms and pulmonary tuberculosis. She was admitted to the ICU and from the second day of her admission, she is on ventilator support. Six days after admission, the patient has alleged that she has been violated within the hospital premises on the day of admission. Post complaint, police have been immediately informed. The hospital is fully cooperating with authorities and furnishing all information/details."
