58-year-old critically ill woman raped at CT scan room of Panipat Civil Hospital, dies; security guard arrested
PTC Web Desk: A 58-year-old woman died during treatment at PGIMS, Rohtak, two days after she was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a CT scan room at Panipat Civil Hospital, police and health officials said.
The woman, who was suffering from diabetes and a heart condition, was shifted to Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, in a critical condition during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. She died early Tuesday morning.
Panipat Civil Surgeon Dr Vijay Malik confirmed the death and said the exact cause would be known after the medical reports from PGIMS are received.
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The police said the alleged incident took place at the CT and MRI centre operated by a private firm under a public-private partnership arrangement. According to the woman's complaint, her family accompanied her to the scan centre after the X-ray. She alleged that a man working there asked her family members to wait outside before taking her into the room.
The woman alleged that she was then sexually assaulted inside the room. She reportedly told the police that she was unable to resist because of her existing health problems and claimed she remained inside the room for around four minutes.
The police subsequently registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The main accused, identified as Rakesh Kumar, a security guard working at the CT and MRI section, has been arrested.
Health officials said the private company operating the diagnostic centre has dismissed Rakesh Kumar and another employee, identified as Sachin, from their jobs following the incident.
Dr Malik said the health department has also issued a notice to the firm and constituted a panel to conduct a separate inquiry into the incident.
“The patient's medical examination was conducted after the incident and the police registered an FIR. She was shifted to PGIMS, Rohtak, at around 1.30 am Monday as her condition was critical,” officials said.
The woman's post-mortem examination was conducted at BPS Government Medical College in Khanpur, Sonipat. Authorities are awaiting the medical and forensic reports to establish the exact cause of death.
Dr Malik said the woman was already in a serious condition because of diabetes and heart disease when she was brought to the hospital.
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- With inputs from agencies
