Two panels to probe youth’s allegation of gangrape with sister at SRN hospital

PRAYAGRAJ : A Mirzapur youth in his 20s has alleged that doctors and other medical staff of Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) hospital, an associated hospital of MLN Medical College, gangraped his 20-year-old ailing cousin (sister) while operating upon her for an intestinal problem on June 1 night.

Soon after a purported video, in which the youth made the allegation, went viral on Wednesday evening, two enquiry committees—one by Prayagraj chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Prabhakar Rai and another by principal, MLN Medical College Dr SP Singh— were set up to probe the matter.

“Four surgeons, including two women surgeons, were present at the operation theatre along with a woman nurse. No such incident could have occurred in the presence of women doctors. However, the committee will soon find out the truth,” said MLN Medical College principal Dr SP Singh.

CMO Dr Prabhakar Rai said a team of five doctors was constituted to probe the matter and submit a report soon. The other five-member probe panel set up by the MLNMC principal comprises Dr Vatsala Mishra, Dr Ajay Kumar, Dr Arvind Gupta, Dr Amrita Chaurasia and Dr Archana Kaul.

The youth claimed in the video that his cousin informed him of the incident through a handwritten note. The youth also claimed that he informed police of it but policemen tore the handwritten note after questioning him.

Denying that the handwritten note was torn, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Prayagraj, Sarvshrestha Tripathi said circle officer Satyendra Tiwari was sent to the spot for investigation. He said the kin of the girl had also been questioned in this connection, adding that the statement of the ailing woman would be recorded soon after she was able to speak. She is said to be in a semi-conscious state following the operation. However, no FIR has been lodged in this regard so far.

According to reports, the woman was admitted to SRN hospital on May 29.

Her cousin claimed in the video that his sister was feeling uneasy after the operation and was trying to say something. When she was given a pen and paper, she wrote that “wrong things” were done to her and she was not given water to drink, the youth claimed. Meanwhile, Kotwali police said the woman was thirsty but was denied water by doctors due to the ongoing medical treatment following which she felt uneasy.