SCB MCH ‘Sexual Assault’ Case: 5 Questions Hospital Admin Needs To Answer

Cuttack: Mangalabag police have seized video recordings of the echocardiogram machine and also CCTV footages from 15 locations, starting from the senior residents’ hostel to cardiology department’s diagnostic unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital (MCH), in connection with the alleged rape of two patients by a resident doctor.

The August 11 incident, however, has raised several questions pertaining to loopholes in the hospital administration.

1. Why was the echo test conducted on a holiday?
2. Why a DM cardiology resident doctor conducted the test while the provisions state that it is to be conducted under the supervision of a doctor above the rank of assistant professor?
3. Had the accused taken permission for conducting the echo tests of the victims?
4. Who had given him permission for conducting the test?
5. Was the authorities informed about handing over of the keys of the echo room, which is kept with a staff nurse and the indoor in-charge of the department, to the accused on a holiday.

The accused, Dr Thakur Dilbag Singh, was arrested on August 13.

While the video recordings of echocardiogarm machine will be sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bhubaneswar for further investigation to ascertain whether the accused doctor had done something beyond it on the pretext of the test, police have also sought call detail records of the mobile phones of Singh and the PG student, whose mother and aunt were allegedly raped by the former, the TNIE reported, quoting sources.

The accused reportedly had arrived at the department after receiving a call from the PG student.

This apart, statements of around 12 people, including staff nurses, security guards and other employees, working near the echo room have been recorded.