The woman’s medical examination was carried out, police said (Representational)
Thiruvananthapuram:
A health official in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram was arrested for allegedly raping a 44-year-old woman, who was seeking her negative certificate for the coronavirus.
The author has alleged that the official, who is a junior health inspector, had allegedly asked him to come to his home to obtain the certificate, police said. Upon arriving home, the woman said she was allegedly confined, tied up, physically assaulted and mistakenly raped.
“The official allegedly physically assaulted her, tied her hands and mouth for a time in between, and raped her. The medical examination was carried out. Further investigations are underway. One case has been registered under section 376 of the IPC.” Circle Inspector Suneesh told NDTV.
The woman had recently returned home and an official asked her to self-quarantine.
She underwent an antigen test that came back negative and was told by the defendant to collect the test certificate from her home where she was allegedly raped, police said.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja ordered the suspension of the official, identified as Pradeep, pending an investigation.
The Women’s Commission has also registered a case against the official.
The incident comes a day after an ambulance driver was arrested for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, on the basis of a complaint.
Preliminary investigation suggests he was hired by the company last year without a police clearance certificate.
“He has been fired from the service. We have sent several reminders to some of the recruits requesting that the police clearance certificates be presented. The defendant had sent a letter saying that he had applied for a police clearance certificate, but did not present any. “a senior GVK EMRI official told NDTV.
In condemning both cases, the leader of the opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said that the two rape incidents have brought shame to the state. These incidents show “serious lapses” on the part of the health department, the PTI news agency said.
(With PTI inputs)
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