A distressing incident has come to light at the ESIC Medical College in Alwar, Rajasthan, where a 32-year-old woman has alleged she was raped by a nursing staff member while recovering in the surgical ICU. The woman had been admitted to the hospital on June 2nd for a tubectomy and underwent surgery on June 4th, after which she was moved to the ICU.

According to reports, on the night of June 4th, the woman's husband was asked by a guard to wait outside the ICU around 11 pm. The following day, June 5th, upon regaining consciousness, the woman recounted to her husband that a male staff member had drawn the curtains and sexually assaulted her during the night. Her husband immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).

The victim also informed her attending doctor, Dr. Deepika, about the assault. Dr. Deepika confronted the accused in front of witnesses, during which the hospital claims the accused, identified as Subhash Ghithala, confessed to the crime. Police have confirmed that Ghithala, aged 30, has been booked for molestation and rape. He has also been barred from entering the hospital premises.

The hospital administration has taken cognizance of the serious allegations and has initiated an internal inquiry. Notices have been issued to the on-duty doctor and other staff members, seeking their written responses regarding the incident. A committee has been formed to investigate the matter, and their findings are expected soon.

The Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City was also informed about the incident. The ADM directed the police to take immediate action. The police have registered a case and recorded the victim's statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

This incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about patient safety and security within hospital environments. The husband of the victim has alleged that the hospital administration initially attempted to cover up the case. However, the hospital director, Lavesh Gupta, stated that the CCTV footage and necessary information have been handed over to the police and that the hospital is extending full cooperation with the authorities.

This is not the first time such an incident has been reported in Rajasthan. In February 2024, a similar case occurred in a private hospital in Alwar, where a male nurse allegedly raped a 24-year-old woman undergoing treatment for a lung infection in the ICU. The accused in that case was arrested after the crime was captured on the hospital's CCTV cameras. These repeated incidents underscore the urgent need for stricter protocols and enhanced security measures in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients.