Why Was Kolkata Hospital Molestation Accused Remanded Until October 31?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amit Mallick has been remanded to police custody until October 31.
- CCTV footage confirmed the allegations of molestation.
- The incident raises serious concerns about hospital security.
- The health department is demanding accountability from S.S.K.M. authorities.
- Immediate actions are required to ensure the safety of minor patients.
Kolkata, Oct 24 (NationPress) A special court operating under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has remanded Amit Mallick, who is accused of molesting a minor girl at the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in south Kolkata earlier this week, to police custody until October 31.
The public prosecutor informed the court that CCTV footage has supported the claim that Mallick took the 15-year-old victim to the washroom located in the trauma care wing and molested her.
In the footage, the accused can be seen clearly escorting the victim to the washroom, which is identified as the scene of the crime. The prosecutor also requested permission to perform Mallick’s DNA test and document his confidential statement.
Earlier today, the state health department requested a report from the S.S.K.M. authorities regarding the incident and demanded an explanation on how the accused was able to roam freely within the hospital despite no longer being associated with it.
Mallick, who is a contractual staff member currently working at N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital, was previously linked with S.S.K.M. and allegedly continued to access the hospital by exploiting that old connection.
The primary charge against Mallick, which has been framed under multiple Sections of the POCSO Act, 2012, is the molestation of a 15-year-old girl inside the S.S.K.M. washroom.
The victim was at the Outpatient Department for treatment when the accused, reportedly impersonating a doctor, led her to the trauma care washroom and molested her. The girl fled in shock and informed her parents about the incident.
After the complaint was lodged, the Bhabanipur Police Station was notified, and a police team apprehended the accused on Wednesday night.
Earlier this week, a traffic home-guard was arrested for assaulting a female junior doctor at a state-run hospital in Uluberia, adjacent to Kolkata, and also issued a rape threat to her.