Update: April 11, Police have begun investigation into allegations of sexual assault inside the isolation ward of ANMMCH. A formal complaint has been filed against an unknown person.

In a shocking case reported from Gaya in Bihar, a woman admitted to the coronavirus isolation ward at a medical college, was allegedly sexually assaulted by a healthcare worker for two days. The matter came to light on Tuesday.

The woman was admitted to an isolation ward at Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH). Her family has accused a healthcare worker of raping the woman for two days. She died of excessive bleeding at home after being discharged from the hospital.

"The 25-year-old victim had returned to Bihar’s Gaya district from Ludhiana (in Punjab) along with her husband on March 25. Before returning to her in-laws’ place, she had undergone abortion at Ludhiana just when she was two months pregnant," said a report by Deccan Herald.

EPA/Representational Image

She complained of excessive bleeding after reaching Gaya. Her husband admitted her to Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College on March 27 where she was admitted to the emergency ward.

After doctors suspected that she could be coronavirus positive, she was kept in an isolation ward. Her family members have alleged that a doctor attending her in the isolation ward outraged her modesty for two successive nights on April 2 and 3.

“The following day, she was discharged from the hospital after her coronavirus test report was found to be negative. However, after returning home, she remained aloof and struck by fear. On questioning, she revealed how a doctor had sexually abused her in the isolation ward," her mother-in-law told Deccan Herald.

She passed away on April 6.

BCCL

The police asked the mother-in-law to come to the hospital and identify the doctor. However, the accused was not identified.

Dr VK Prasad, the hospital superintendent said that prima facie this is a serious matter. He said the CCTV footage will be dug out and strict action will be taken against the culprit.

Meanwhile, the National Commission of Women (NCW) has taken a cognisance of the matter.