The accused ambulance driver Noufal is arrested
Key points
- The State Commission on Women’s Rights has requested a detailed report from the Pathanamthitta police and ordered the team to submit a report on the incident within 7 days.
- There is a protocol to avoid having more patients together. The girl was sent with other patients.
- Police are investigating defendant Noufal’s criminal record and the conspiracy angle behind the incident.
Pathanamthitta: In a horrific incident that came to light from Pathanamthitta, a 20-year-old COVID-19 patient was sexually assaulted by the ambulance driver while on his way to the COVID care center.
Clearly in violation of COVID regulations, there were no health department officials present in the ambulance along with the two women who were to be transferred to the COVID centers. The patient reported the incident to hospital authorities. Noufal, a native of Kayamkulam and accused in a murder case, was arrested by the police.
The shocking incident took place during the early hours of Sunday as she and another girl were being taken to COVID centers in Pathanamthitta. According to the instructions of the health department, one of them was deposited in a hospital of the Kozhanchery hospital. The driver stopped the vehicle in a deserted area in Arunmula and sexually assaulted the 20-year-old.
Images of the defendant who sexually abused a COVID-19 patient in Aranmula apologizing to the victim after the incident constitute crucial evidence in the case, said Pathanamthitta SP KG Simon.
“The police were informed of the incident at 1 at night. The defendant, a native of Kayamkulam, was arrested on the same night. All the evidence was collected in the morning. The girl has recorded the video of the defendant apologizing to her and this it’s crucial evidence, ”said KG Simon.
SP KG Simon said there is a criminal case under section 308 against Noufal, who sexually abused the girl. There is a conspiracy behind the crime. The ambulance left Adoor. Although Panthalam was the next stop, he first intentionally dropped the other patient in Aranmula. The incident took place during the return trip.
The arrest of the defendant Noufal, who was fired from his job as an ambulance driver, has been recorded. Health Minister KK Shailaja said that what happened in Aranmula was unexpected and sad. Strict action will be taken against the accused.
