Kolkata, Oct 28 (NationPress) A ward boy at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital has been taken into custody following allegations of molesting a patient's daughter within the hospital grounds, as reported by the police on Tuesday.

This incident occurs amid a troubling trend of physical assaults on healthcare workers in state-run hospitals across West Bengal. It raises significant concerns regarding the safety and security of both patients and healthcare professionals in the state’s medical facilities.

According to police reports, the alleged incident transpired on Sunday afternoon. Officers from the Burdwan Women Police Station arrested the ward boy on Monday morning, after which he was presented in court and placed in police custody for two days.

Hospital sources indicate that a tribal woman has been receiving treatment at the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for an extended period, located in a ward beneath the new hospital building. Her married daughter has been caring for her since last Saturday. On the fateful Sunday afternoon, while attending to her mother, the ward boy allegedly entered the women's ward.

“He proceeded to turn off the room lights and attempted to undress her. When she screamed, the accused first slapped her and then struck her. The woman managed to escape and ran out,” the police stated.

Upon hearing the screams, bystanders rushed to the women's ward. When they illuminated the room, the ward boy was seen fleeing the scene. Following this, the patient’s daughter lodged a formal complaint with the local women's police station.

After learning about the woman's harrowing experience, the police consulted with hospital authorities, reviewed CCTV footage, and subsequently apprehended the ward boy.

“We detained the ward boy on Monday. He was brought before the Burdwan court, where a request for a five-day police custody was made for further questioning. The court approved a two-day police custody. Charges have been filed under relevant sections pertaining to physical assault and molestation. The investigation remains ongoing,” a senior officer from the East Burdwan district police stated on Tuesday.

The accused reportedly resides in the Baburbagh Kalitala area of Burdwan city and has served as a ward boy at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for 21 years. Authorities are probing whether there have been any prior complaints against him.