A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested a 25-year-old accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a trainee air hostess lying in the ICU ward of Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
The accused, identified as Deepak, a resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was arrested today from Gurugram, the police said. The 25-year-old, who had been on the run, had been employed at the same hospital for five months, according to the police.
"We have been informed that the police have identified a suspect who has been taken into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation concerning allegations of sexual assault on a patient. On the basis of information provided to us by the police, we have suspended the suspect employee," the hospital said in a statement, as per an NDTV report.
This arrest was made after the SIT, aided by 8 crack teams, analysed footage from 800 CCTV cameras installed at the hospital, in addition to questioning the hospital staff.
According to the police, the woman—originally from Bengal—had nearly drowned in a swimming pool while undergoing a training programme with a major airline, which saw her admitted to a major hospital.
The victim was then transferred to Medanta on April 5, where she reportedly underwent emergency treatment, including going on a ventilator in the ICU wing, for over a week. The alleged assault took place on April 6, at which time the semi-conscious victim had been allegedly unable to resist her attacker's advances because of her "weakened condition". She also claimed two nurses were present at the time, but hesitated to intervene.
After her release from the hospital, the victim informed her husband on April 13. He promptly went to the police, and a case was registered the next day.
At the time the case was filed, the hospital, responding to the allegations, issued a statement.
"We have been made aware of a complaint from a patient and have been cooperating with the investigations conducted by relevant authorities. At this stage no allegations have been substantiated, and all relevant documents including CCTV footage from the hospital for the time period in question, have been handed over to the police. We remain committed to supporting the process of investigation," it read.
Four days later, the accused was brought to book.
