NEW DELHI: The juvenile accused in the December 16 gang rape case underwent an abdominal surgery for appendicitis at a city hospital recently where he is still admitted. Doctors say he is recovering well and is likely to be discharged in a day or two. The security in and around the ward, where the accused is admitted, has been beefed up, said police officials.

“The accused was rushed to the hospital on Saturday from Lajpat Nagar juvenile home after he complained of severe abdominal pain. The CT scan showed inflammation of appendix in the abdomen which necessitated an emergency procedure,” said a senior doctor. He said the accused has been shifted to the ward and a team of doctors is monitoring the condition.

Appendicitis is a swelling of the tissue called appendix that extends from the large intestine. Experts say that without surgery, the appendix could rupture, spilling infectious material into the bloodstream and abdomen, which can be life-threatening.

“A team of doctors are continuously monitoring his condition for infection risk. He seems to be doing fine. We may discharge him in a day or two,” said a senior administrative official at the hospital.

In the remand home, sources said, the inmates had hit him badly which caused external injuries.

The juvenile accused, along with five others, had gang-raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus.

