Doctors misbehaved with Tehri rape survivor’s kin, allege activists

Dehradun: Activists who accompanied the 9-year-old rape survivor from Tehri to the Government Doon Medical College & Hospital (GDMCH) have alleged that the chief medical superintendent (CMS) of the hospital visited the family in an inebriated state on Sunday night while another lady doctor misbehaved with them.
The Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (USCPCR) took cognisance of both the allegations on Monday.
“The CMS was in an inebriated state. He stood watching while the female doctor was scolding the girl and her mother. When I objected to such behaviour, she asked me to leave the hospital,” said Jabbar Singh Verma, a social activist from Tehri.
The survivor’s mother also confirmed that the incident had occurred.
When contacted, the CMS, Dr KK Tamta said that he has not received any complaint about such misbehaviour. “When no one has filed a complaint, how am I supposed to act?”
Usha Negi, chairperson of USCPCR, said that the doctors initially admitted the girl in the labour room and moved her to the ward only after her intervention. She also said that the gynaecological ward where the victim was kept has poor arrangements. “The ward was stinking when the victim was moved. She is already suffering from trauma and this will affect her health. We have also taken note of the allegations made by the girl’s family about the doctors’ misbehaviour. We will seek reply from the hospital administration on this,” she added.
Dr Ashutosh Sayana, principal of GDMCH meanwhile said that the girl is recovering and is being provided proper care in the hospital. He added that an inquiry would be conducted on the claims made by the activists and the survivor’s family.
Meanwhile, police on Monday transferred the Narendra Nagar circle officer for his negligence in making the nine-year-old rape survivor sit next to the accused while taking her in an official vehicle to record their statement.