Kerala HC grants anticipatory bail to cop accused of attacking doctor
Thiruvananthapuram: A civil police officer of Kochi Metro police station, and his cousin, accused of assaulting a junior consultant surgeon at the government district hospital, Mavelikkara have been granted anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court on Friday.
The case concerned a Covid-19 patient( the mother of the accused cop) who was brought to the facility as her health condition deteriorated. After examining, the doctor declared her brought dead. When the relatives were informed about it, they resorted to violence and allegedly attacked, slapped and hurled abuse at the doctor, who was on duty, alleging delay in giving prompt medical attention to the patient, who succumbed to Covid.
The incident triggered the government doctors in Kerala, who protested against the alleged failure to arrest the accused for assaulting a frontline worker in Alappuzha district, despite the Health Minister assuring that stern action will be taken.
Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) decided to boycott duty on June 25 across the state condemning the delay.
Also Read: Kerala doctors to boycott duty in wake of delay in arresting cop accused of attacking Surgeon
The police officer along with his cousin who allegedly barged into the room and attacked the doctor was arrested and presented before the court on Friday.
Senior advocate P Vijayabhanu, counsel representing the accused, submitted that the entire incident occurred due to the shock of the death of the mother of cop. The incarceration of the accused policeman (petitioner) at this stage would affect their jobs, counsel argued.
