PANAJI
The Old Goa police arrested a trainee doctor for allegedly raping his patient, a Moroccan national, who was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital for treatment of a neurological disorder. The accused, Dr Vrushab Doshi, has been suspended by Healthway Hospital.
Police said the 24-year-old survivor was admitted on August 29 and the alleged incident took place on August 31, around 10 pm. The FIR was registered on Wednesday evening after the woman’s sister filed a complaint alleging gross misbehaviour by the doctor.
The police further informed that the accused had fled Goa after committing the alleged offence, but was tracked in Solapur, Sangli area in Maharashtra, from where he was arrested. The accused is a native of Solapur.
As per the complaint, the doctor lifted the patient’s gown and groped her breast under the pretence of conducting a test. He allegedly grabbed her buttocks and touched her private parts while she was immobile and vulnerable. The complaint further states that he pressed his fingers into her private parts on the pretence of a neurological sensitivity examination and told her, “This is the procedure every evening moving forward.”
A case has been registered under sections 64 (2)(e)(j) (rape), 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Healthway Hospital confirmed the suspension of Dr Doshi and stated that the patient was assured of full support in filing her complaint with the police.
“A woman patient admitted to Healthway Hospitals, Old Goa, complained of sexual assault by Dr V Doshi while undergoing treatment. Healthway Hospitals would like to state that upon receiving the complaint of sexual assault from the victim, the doctor has been suspended from active duties pending further police enquiry. The victim was assured of full support by the hospital authorities in the process of filing her complaint to the police in relation to the alleged offence,” reads the statement.
The hospital also stated that the victim continues to undergo treatment at its Old Goa facility. “The hospital will continue to provide all moral and logistical support to the victim during her ordeal,” it said.
