September 1, 2024, Howrah, West Bengal.
In a distressing incident that has reignited concerns over safety within healthcare facilities, a staff member at Howrah Hospital was arrested for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl during a CT scan procedure late Saturday night. The incident, which has sparked outrage and protests among locals, underscores the ongoing issue of security and oversight in medical institutions across West Bengal.
The minor, who was undergoing treatment for pneumonia, was taken for a routine CT scan when the alleged assault occurred. According to reports, the accused, identified as Aman Raj, a contractual laboratory technician at the hospital, was apprehended after the girl managed to escape and alert her family. The family’s immediate response led to a confrontation at the hospital, where the accused was caught and handed over to the police.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage shared on social media platforms depict the chaos following the incident, with the girl’s family and other hospital visitors gathering to protest the act. The video, which has since gone viral, shows the girl in distress recounting the ordeal, while the accused vehemently denied the allegations initially.
The police, upon arrival, rescued the accused from an angry mob and took him into custody. The Howrah police confirmed the arrest, stating that a thorough investigation has been initiated under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another heinous crime at a Kolkata hospital, where a trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered, highlighting a pattern of safety lapses in healthcare settings in West Bengal. The state government and hospital administration have come under scrutiny for these repeated failures in ensuring a secure environment for patients and staff.
Public reaction has been swift and furious, with demands for stringent action against the perpetrator and calls for a comprehensive review of security protocols in hospitals. Social media platforms have been abuzz with posts expressing shock and solidarity with the victim, using hashtags like #JusticeForHowrahVictim and #SafeHospitals to amplify the call for justice and reform.
Hospital authorities have initiated an internal investigation alongside the police probe, focusing on the security measures within the facility. They have promised to cooperate fully with the law enforcement and to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has not only shaken the local community but has also raised broader questions about the safety of minors and women in public healthcare facilities in West Bengal. As the investigation unfolds, there is a growing demand for systemic changes to ensure that hospitals, meant to be sanctuaries of healing, do not become places of fear and violation.
