GMCH doctor booked for raping minor dalit girl from UP

NAGPUR:Police have booked a doctor attached to the radiology department to Government Medical College and Hospital for allegedly raping a 14-year-old Dalit girl from Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Dr Pandit Pachore has also been slapped with protection of children from sexual offences act, 2012 at Ajni police station. For reasons best known to police, the accused had not been arrested until late Sunday night.

Reema (name changed), a native of Uttar Pradesh, had come to city with stomach ailment around a week ago. She claimed in her police complaint that Dr Pachore, while conducting a sonography examination, allegedly inserted his finger in her private parts and even asked the girl how it felt. No nurse or female attendant was present when the doctor was conducting sonography, the complaint states. The matter came to fore after Reema managed to narrate her plight to a fellow patient in ward no. 8 who raised an alarm.

The FIR, a copy of which is in possession of TOI, also states that while Dr Pachore was applying gel on Reema’s body, a woman had come inside but he asked her to step out. The girl also stated that the doctor touched her chest.

Surprisingly, Dr Pachore was not arrested until Sunday as cops feel that there is no strong indication of forceful penetration in the medical examination. The section of rape, modified under Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, has been also applied under 376 A (d) despite the fact that complainant claiming to have been abused by fingers by the doctor attracting 376 A (b) for reasons best known to Ajni cops.

Political and right activist Shehbaz Siddiqui stated that Dr Pachore was even allowed to go for dinner by the cops and not taken into custody. The GMCH authorities also stated that they are keen to conduct a rapid inquiry into the matter.

Source: The Times of India