Probe Into Hospital Sexual Assault:Three Arrested

A three-member investigation committee has been formed by the health department following the sexual assault of a patient’s mother at Natore Modern Sadar Hospital. The committee has been directed by the authorities to submit its official findings within five working days.

On Wednesday (10 June), the Civil Surgeon of Natore, Dr Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, confirmed the initiation of the inquiry during a press briefing. However, he declined to disclose the identities of the committee members, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation. He clarified that the panel comprises one official from the hospital itself and two external officials from outside the health department to ensure administrative impartiality.

Incident Timeline and Allegations

According to hospital records and the police dossier, the incident transpired on Sunday evening. A two-year-old girl had been admitted to the hospital’s paediatric ward, accompanied by her mother. At approximately 22:00, a hospital cleaner identified as Amit (23) approached the mother under the pretext of dispensing medication. He escorted her into the hospital lift and took her to a secluded stairwell on the sixth floor, where the assault took place.

During the assault, two other hospital cleaners, identified as Anil and Prangan, filmed the incident on a mobile phone. The three men subsequently detained the woman against her will, using the recorded footage to threaten her in a further attempt to assault her.

At approximately 02:00 the following morning, members of the hospital’s Ansar security detachment noticed the unaccompanied child crying in the paediatric ward. Upon reviewing the hospital’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the security personnel identified suspicious movements and proceeded to the sixth floor, where they caught the suspects red-handed. Despite this, allegations have surfaced from the victim’s family and local residents that the hospital administration subsequently released the suspects from custody without notifying law enforcement immediately.

Following the incident, the victim’s father filed a formal criminal complaint at the Natore Sadar Police Station. Acting on the report, police personnel conducted a raid in the Alaipur Sweeper Colony area of Natore town, resulting in the arrest of all three suspects.

Suspect Profiles and Legal Status

The table below outlines the specific details, roles, and current legal status of the individuals implicated in the criminal case:

Official Administrative and Police Responses

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Natore Sadar Police Station, Mohammad Mansur Rahman, stated that the victim’s formal deposition has been recorded before the magistrate, and her forensic medical examination has been completed at the hospital. Furthermore, the police have formally seized the digital evidence, including the relevant CCTV footage from the crime scene.

The Officer-in-Charge emphasised that the case is being investigated with the utmost gravity. He stated that no leniency would be extended to anyone involved, regardless of their institutional role or identity, and that the police remain committed to ensuring full legal accountability.

Meanwhile, local public resentment has mounted against the hospital administration for failing to take immediate punitive measures. The victim’s family maintained that hospital officials initially minimised the severity of the matter. The family has also stated that the victim and her relatives are currently experiencing acute safety concerns and a sense of insecurity. Local civic bodies have called for enhanced security protocols within the medical facility and accountability for any administrative negligence.