In a deeply unsettling continuation of violence against women in West Bengal, another egregious incident has emerged from the corridors of Howrah District Hospital. Amidst the still-resonant outcry following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a new violation has come to light under the very roof meant to ensure safety and care.

On the night of Saturday, 31st August, a grave incident unfolded at this medical facility. A laboratory technician, identified as Aman Raj, reportedly committed an act of molestation against a minor girl undergoing treatment within the institution's walls. This act has once again highlighted the perilous environment women are facing in the state, particularly in places where they should expect the highest degree of safety.

The sequence of events according to available reports indicates that the victim, an 13-year-old girl, had initially been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, 28th August. Her admission was due to complaints of chest pain, a condition that under no circumstances should expose a patient to the risk of assault. However, during a CT scan—a procedure that is supposed to be conducted with professionalism and care—she was molested by the technician, Aman.

The local community's reaction was swift and filled with outrage, leading to the immediate arrest of Aman Raj by Howrah police. This arrest, however, does little to mitigate the fear and trepidation that now clouds the atmosphere of the hospital and perhaps, by extension, the entire healthcare system in the region.

The distressing case at Howrah District Hospital, where an 13-year-old minor girl was molested by a laboratory technician, has only intensified public scrutiny and outcry. The sordid details of the incident came to light when the victim, overwhelmed by her experience, confided in her family about the harrowing event.

A particularly poignant moment captured and circulated widely on social media shows a woman—presumably a family member—confronting the accused, Aman Raj. In the video, she can be heard accusing him of kissing the minor girl forcibly and engaging in highly inappropriate conversations after ensuring they were alone in the laboratory. He not only opened her pants, but showed her porn video asking if she has seen such videos earlier. The sheer terror of the situation for the victim became palpable when her mother, who had been anxiously waiting outside, heard her daughter's desperate cries for help and rushed to her aid, subsequently alerting the authorities to the heinous act.

The rapid spread of the news ignited a fierce reaction from the community. The victim's family, accompanied by relatives and outraged locals, descended on the hospital, voicing their protest and even attempting to physically confront Aman Raj. The situation escalated quickly, requiring police intervention to prevent harm to the accused and restore order.

Aman Raj, caught amid the chaos and public fury, vehemently denied the accusations. In a video that has gone viral, he is seen swearing on his mother's name, claiming innocence. However, the visual evidence presented a different story, showing the young victim in a state of extreme distress, shivering and visibly shaken as she recounted the ordeal. She accused Raj of not only touching her inappropriately but also showing her obscene videos.

In response to the alarming incident and the subsequent public uproar, the hospital administration has taken immediate steps to fortify security within the facility. An internal grievance committee has been established to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure such a breach of trust and safety does not recur.

Meanwhile, the police have taken Aman Raj into custody, and an intense interrogation is underway to ascertain the details of the case and hold those responsible accountable.

Ongoing Crisis of Sexual Assaults in West Bengal's Hospitals

The recent molestation incident at Howrah District Hospital is not an isolated event but a distressing part of a continuing series of sexual assault cases that have marred the reputation of medical facilities in West Bengal. This string of violations has incited considerable public ire, particularly after the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which led to massive protests last month.

Highlighting the severity and frequency of these assaults, a spokesperson named Malviya recounted multiple disturbing incidents across the state. One such case involved a nurse at Ilambazar Swasthya Kendra in Birbhum. According to Malviya, the nurse was molested by a man named Sheikh Abbasuddin, who "forcefully groped her private parts" while she was performing her duties during the night shift. In a biting critique, Malviya pointed out that the local government, led by Mamata Banerjee, often places the blame inappropriately, suggesting that the nurse's night shift was a factor, rather than addressing the lack of safety in work environments.

Furthermore, Malviya brought attention to another appalling incident in Bhajanghat, Krishnaganj in Nadia, where a minor girl was allegedly raped. He also mentioned a case in Madhyamgram, where a TMC Panchayat member is accused of raping a young minor girl, only in second grade. Adding to this grim list, he recounted a recent case of sexual abuse in the CT scanner room of Howrah Sadar Hospital.

The frequency of these reports paints a bleak picture of safety for women under the current state administration. Malviya’s critique of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scathing. He accused her of failing to make the state safe for women, stating, "She has done nothing to enforce the stringent rules and establish Fast Track Courts to punishing accused in rapes and POCSO cases. She is an unmitigated disaster as a Chief Minister and must resign," highlighting a perceived lack of action and accountability in addressing these grave issues.

Continuing the troubling series of assaults in healthcare settings, another incident has come to light, this time from a government-run hospital in Birbhum, as reported by India Today. The incident involved a nurse who was molested by a patient while she was performing her duties, highlighting an ongoing issue of safety for medical staff in the region.

The incident unfolded when the nurse was administering medical care to a man brought in on a stretcher with a high fever. According to the nurse's detailed complaint to the authorities, the patient exploited the proximity required for medical care to behave inappropriately. She reported that while she was setting up a saline drip, the patient not only touched her inappropriately but also hurled offensive language at her, compounding the assault with verbal abuse.

The hospital did not delay in responding to the nurse's distress. The authorities immediately informed the local police, who promptly arrived at the scene. The perpetrator was arrested, and a formal complaint was registered at the Ilambazar Police Station, ensuring that the incident was officially recorded and would be followed up with legal action.

The nurse, deeply affected by the incident, expressed her dismay and fear, stating, "A male patient was brought in during the night shift with a fever complaint. As advised by the doctors, I was preparing to administer saline to him when he misbehaved. He touched me and used foul language. We feel unsafe working here due to the lack of proper security. How could a patient act this way?" Her account vividly highlights the vulnerability of healthcare workers, especially during night shifts where fewer safeguards and oversight might be in place.

Dr. Masidul Hasan, who was also on duty at the time, corroborated the nurse's account. He detailed the events of that evening, noting that the patient, identified as Abbas Uddin from Chotochak village, began acting out almost immediately upon arrival. "He started misbehaving as soon as he arrived. After some clinical examinations, we advised that he be given injections and IV fluids. When the nurse went to administer the saline, the patient behaved violently and molested her by touching her inappropriately," explained Dr. Hasan. His testimony not only supports the nurse's claims but also underscores the sudden and unprovoked nature of the assault.

These incidents underscore a significant issue within healthcare facilities in West Bengal, where the safety of staff is increasingly compromised. Each report of such assaults stresses the urgent need for enhanced security measures and systemic changes to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. The community, while shocked, is calling for decisive action to safeguard healthcare workers, ensuring that hospitals remain places of care and safety, not fear and victimization.