Shillong, Jul 13: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today urged the East Khasi Hills police to immediately arrest a male nurse accused of molesting a minor girl at NEIGRIHMS while alleging delays in police action and raising concerns over the hospital’s handling of the incident.
A KSU delegation met East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem and submitted a memorandum seeking swift action in the case, which is being investigated under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012.
According to KSU general secretary Reuben Najiar, the alleged incident took place on July 4 after the minor underwent an appendix operation at NEIGRIHMS.
“The girl was shifted to an observation room after surgery and was left alone without a female nurse or attendant. She was allegedly molested by a male nurse. She could not shout or seek help because she had just come out of surgery and had no strength,” Najiar said.
He said the minor informed her mother about the incident after she was shifted back to the ward, following which an FIR was lodged at the Mawdiangdiang Police Outpost the same day.
However, the pressure group alleged that, despite the FIR being registered, police did not act immediately.
“The police should have acted as soon as the FIR under the POCSO Act was filed. Instead, there was a delay of around 48 hours,” Najiar claimed. “It was only after the intervention of the KSU that police visited NEIGRIHMS to record the statements of the accused and the victim. This delay gave the accused an opportunity to evade immediate arrest.”
The union also criticised a section of NEIGRIHMS staff, alleging that some male nurses and other employees staged a protest in support of the accused after the FIR was registered.
“It is shocking to see hospital staff coming out in support of a person accused of such a serious offence. In our memorandum, we have urged the police to examine whether those who allegedly obstructed the investigation and supported the accused should also face legal action for abetment,” he said.
Najiar further questioned why no female nurse or attendant was present with the minor after surgery.
“The law requires that a female patient, especially a minor, should be attended by a female nurse or attendant. We have also written to the NEIGRIHMS authorities seeking an explanation and asking them to ensure such lapses do not recur,” he added.
Speaking to reporters, Syiem said the police have registered the case under the POCSO Act and the investigation is progressing.
“We are examining all aspects of the matter. Since the offences alleged are punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years, the law mandates issuance of a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) instead of immediate arrest,” Syiem said.
He said the victim’s statement will be recorded before the court, while investigators continue to collect evidence.
“The victim’s statement will be recorded before the court tomorrow and the remaining steps of the investigation will be carried out. Once all the facts are gathered, we will arrive at our conclusion,” he said.
The SP also said police will submit a report to the Head of Department of NEIGRIHMS regarding the incident, leaving it to the institute to decide on any departmental action against the accused.
He added that the matter is being treated as a special report case and that police aim to file the charge sheet within 60 days, depending on the evidence collected.
The KSU had previously been at the forefront of a demand for more female nurses in NEIGRIHMS, up to an 80:20 female to male ratio.
