Haryana hospital horror: Senior doctor accused of sexually assaulting minor during check-up

Chandigarh: A retired doctor re-employed as a consultant at a government hospital in Haryana's Kurukshetra has been accused of sexually assaulting a minor patient, with authorities terminating his services and police launching a manhunt to trace him.

The accused, Dr Shailender Kumar Shally, had retired as Principal Medical Officer from the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) District Civil Hospital before being re-appointed as a consultant. He is currently absconding, officials said.

According to police, the minor girl had been admitted to the hospital after complaining of abdominal pain. During her treatment, the doctor allegedly sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions inside the OPD.

The alleged abuse came to light on May 29 when the girl was shifted from the female ward to the emergency department after experiencing excessive bleeding.

Dr Upendra Singh, who was on emergency duty, told the media that the minor was admitted to the female ward. At approximately 8.30 p.m. on May 29, following complaints of excessive bleeding, she was shifted to the emergency department. At that time, the minor revealed she had been subjected to sexual assault on multiple occasions in the OPD.

Following the disclosure, hospital authorities conducted a medical examination of the victim, provided counselling and recorded her statement in accordance with provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A case has been registered under Sections 10 and 6 of the POCSO Act at the Kurukshetra University police station.

According to the complaint lodged by the girl's father, the accused allegedly assaulted the minor during a medical examination after asking her to lie on an examination bed on the pretext of a check-up. The complaint further alleged that the abuse led to pain and bleeding, after which the doctor admitted the girl to the female ward before disappearing from the hospital.

Dr Upendra Singh said that when the victim girl was admitted to the female ward on May 29 with the complaint of abdominal pain, her father was also hospitalised due to some other medical issues, under the care of the accused doctor.

Taking serious note of the allegations, Director General Health Services Sumita Misra ordered the immediate termination of the doctor's services on Sunday.

Police said efforts are underway to locate the accused and further investigate the case.