What Actions is the Bengal Health Department Taking Regarding the Molestation of a Minor at Kolkata Hospital?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- West Bengal Health Department demands a report from S.S.K.M.
- Amit Mallik accused of molestation under POCSO Act.
- Incident raises questions on hospital safety protocols.
- Victim's family alerted authorities leading to police action.
- Previous incidents of violence against medical staff reported.
Kolkata, Oct 24 (NationPress) The West Bengal Health Department has requested a detailed report from the management of S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital located in South Kolkata concerning the molestation of a minor girl that occurred within the hospital grounds on Wednesday afternoon.
Sources from the health department indicate that an explanation has been requested from hospital authorities regarding how the accused, named Amit Mallik, was able to roam freely within the hospital premises, despite no longer being an employee there.
Amit Mallik, who was previously associated with S.S.K.M. as a contractual staff member, is currently employed at another state-run facility, N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital. His former ties to S.S.K.M. allowed him to visit frequently.
The state health department has mandated that S.S.K.M. submit a report on the incident within 72 hours. According to a health department official, “The report from the hospital authorities will be personally reviewed by the state Health Secretary, after which appropriate actions will follow,”.
The main allegation against Mallik involves various Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, relating to the molestation of a 15-year-old girl in a washroom within the S.S.K.M. premises. The victim had come to the Outpatient Department for treatment.
Family members of the victim allege that the accused impersonated a doctor to lure the girl into the washroom located at the hospital's trauma care center, where the molestation took place. Shocked, the victim immediately reported the incident to her parents.
Following this, the Bhabanipur Police Station was notified, leading to the arrest of the accused on Wednesday night.
Earlier this week, a traffic home guard was apprehended for assaulting a female junior doctor at a state-run hospital in Uluberia, situated in the Howrah district near Kolkata. This individual also issued a rape threat to the physician.