Hospital ward boy booked under new anti-rape law

A 55-year-old ward boy of a government-run hospital in Ulhasnagar became perhaps the first accused in the city to be booked under the tough new anti-rape law, which was passed by Parliament last week. Officers of the Central police station in Ulhasnagar have registered an FIR for rape against the hospital staffer who molested a patient inside the operation theatre (OT).

The incident took place in the Employees' State Insurance Scheme Hospital, also known as Kamgar Hospital, in Ulhasnagar. The 34-year-old victim, a resident of Lal Chakki in Ulhasnagar-4, was admitted for a gynaecological procedure. Pic/Navneet Barhate

According to the police, the victim, a 34-year-old woman, was admitted to the Employees' State Insurance Scheme Hospital, also known as Kamgar Hospital, which is located close to Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar-3.u00a0A resident of Lal Chakki in Ulhasnagar-4, she was admitted for a gynaecological procedure.

When she was in the OT for her procedure around 11.35 am on Friday, the ward boy allegedly touched her inappropriately. Outraged, the woman started shouting, prompting the accused to run away. Having discussed the matter with her family, the woman registered an FIR on Saturday morning.

The police have registered an FIR under sections 375 (e) and 376 (2) (e) of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The accused, identified as Koli, is absconding. "Perhaps we are the first who used this Act," said an officer of Central police station. The bill was passed into a law last week to protect women against sexual violence.