Sexual assault at ICU of Kozhikode MCH: Statement of survivor recorded yet again

Kozhikode: The police has once again recorded the statement of the survivor in the sexual assault incident at the Kozhikode medical college ICU. The survivor has warned that she would resort to an open protest demonstration by next week, in case the government and police fail to take necessary action.  

The survivor had earlier complained that a few staff at the hospital had initially tried to ignore the issue; she had raised concerns over the official laxity in the issue. It should be noted that five hospital staff who had threatened the survivor to keep mum, post the assault, were reinstated in service by the college principal, However, the decision had to be repealed following public outrage. However, the accused have not been arrested so far.

At first, the survivor had lodged a complaint with the DCP. But later on when she had approached the commissioner office citing discrepancies in the report submitted by the gynecologist in the incident, she was allegedly discouraged by the officials at the office from pursuing the case. The issue was brought to the notice of the DGP, a complaint was lodged, however, no statements have been recorded so far. 

The survivor was sexually assaulted by attendant MK Saseendran at the ICU on March 18, after she had undergone a thyroid surgery. Back then, her statements were recorded in the presence of Medical College inspector Bennylalu. While issuing her statement, the survivor was accompanied by her family members, and human rights activist Noushad Thekkayil.

In a latest development, the survivor has now announced that she will hold a protest demonstration in front of the medical college principal's office  if immediate action is not taken in the case.