Rape-murder of minor: Chirag calls for judicial probe into hospital's role

UNION MINISTER SAID THE DOCTORS AND THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE PMCH WERE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE AS PERPETRATORS OF THE CRIME

- Ruchir Kumar

PATNA: LJP (Ramvilas) leader and Union minister for food processing industries Chirag Paswan, in a letter to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on June 3, demanded a judicial probe to investigate the role of the hospital administration of the Patna Medical College Hospital, doctors and staff over the delay in admission and extending treatment to a minor rape victim in Muzaffarpur on May 26.

Paswan, in the letter shared with the media on Wednesday, demanded that not only a criminal case be instituted against those who intentionally delayed in extending treatment to the victim, displaying gross insensitivity, but stern disciplinary action be taken against them.

The Union minister said the doctors and the hospital administration of the PMCH were equally responsible as the perpetrators of the crime, as they left the victim waiting in an ambulance for several hours, thus delaying in extending treatment, which proved costly.

The victim, after battling for life for six days, passed away on June 1. She was initially admitted for four days at the SKMCH and referred to the PMCH on the fifth day, which was on May 31. The victim passed away after 16 hours of her admission at the gynaecology ICU of PMCH.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sanjay Jaiswal on Wednesday slammed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for raising questions on the NDA-led Bihar government over the alleged negligence in the treatment of minor girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in Muzaffarpur.

Jaiswal said that efforts were made to save the girl, and actions have been taken against the individuals who made her wait in the ambulance for hours outside the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

Lambasting Yadav, the BJP leader counter-questioned him over the administration system and law and order maintenance during the reign of former chief minister and his father, Lalu Prasad.