Bagalkot, 7 May

A woman was allegedly raped at the Bagalkot District Hospital where she was staying to care for her ailing brother. The accused, a contractual employee, reportedly dragged her to the washroom and sexually assaulted her.

The 34-year-old woman, a widow, was staying at the Karnatakagovernment hospital for nearly a month attending to her brother, who was undergoing treatment. During this period, she came in contact with the accused, Farid Saab Dangi, a Group-D outsourced employee at the hospital.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly threatened the woman and dragged her into a washroom between midnight and 2am on 4 May, where he raped her. He then locked the survivor in the washroom before fleeing the scene.

Hearing her cries for help, other people present at the hospital opened the locked door and rescued her. After the survivor narrated the incident, enraged attendants and relatives apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police.

A case was registered at Bagalkot Women Police Station under Sections 127(2), 352, 351(2), 64 and 64(2)(e) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 

Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mahesh Koni ordered termination of the accused. “This incident has brought disrepute to the hospital. Measures will be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur, with greater emphasis on the safety and security of women,” Dr Koni said.