Woman alleges assault while undergoing scan at Panipat civil hospital
A 58-year-old woman has alleged she was sexually assaulted inside the CT scan room of the Panipat civil hospital on Sunday night, police said, and a security guard who worked in the hospital's CT and MRI section has been booked.
Inspector Devender Kumar, station house officer (SHO) of Panipat city police station, said an FIR was registered under sections 64(1) (rape) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the woman and her family reached the police at about 11.30 pm.
Sequence of events and immediate action
According to police, the woman, a local resident, was brought to the civil hospital at about 9.30 pm complaining of severe body pain. After the duty doctor advised an X-ray and CT scan, she underwent an X-ray and was then taken to the CT scan room.
The woman alleged that Rakesh Kumar, who was employed as a security guard at the hospital's CT and MRI section by a private firm, stopped her family members outside the room and then sexually assaulted her inside. She told police she was locked in the room for about four minutes and was unable to resist because she suffers from diabetes and other ailments, the FIR says.
“CCTV footage will be checked and the accused will be arrested at the earliest,”
The SHO said CCTV footage from the hospital is being examined as part of the probe. Hospital management has terminated the services of the accused guard, the MRI centre in-charge, Sachin Kumar, told reporters, adding that the guard was often called to assist staff inside the room.
Medical referral and institutional response
Social activist Savita Arya told reporters that doctors later referred the woman to PGIMS, Rohtak, for further treatment and evaluation. The police statement and the hospital in-charge’s remarks confirm the referral and the termination of the guard’s duties; no hospital officials named in the FIR have been reported as suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
- Allegation: Sexual assault inside CT scan room by security guard.
- Immediate action: FIR registered under BNS sections 64(1) and 351(3); accused’s services terminated.
- Next steps: CCTV verification and efforts to arrest the accused; victim referred to PGIMS Rohtak.
Legal and public-safety implications
The FIR under the cited provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita indicates the matter is being pursued as a serious criminal offence. Police have emphasised verifying visual evidence and effecting an arrest. If the CCTV corroborates the woman's account, it will be a primary piece of evidence in the prosecution’s case.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Victim | 58-year-old local woman |
| Accused | Rakesh Kumar, security guard (private firm), services terminated |
| Location | CT scan room, Panipat civil hospital |
| Police action | FIR under BNS 64(1) and 351(3); CCTV to be checked |
| Medical follow-up | Referred to PGIMS Rohtak |
The incident raises questions about security, patient safety and supervision in hospital diagnostic areas that are often managed by private contractors. The MRI centre in-charge said the guard was frequently asked to assist staff, suggesting he had access to restricted areas. The hospital’s decision to terminate his contract is an immediate administrative step; further disciplinary or institutional reviews may follow depending on the police probe.
Police said they will attempt to arrest the accused at the earliest and are examining whether additional charges or persons should be included in the FIR after reviewing CCTV and statements from hospital staff and family members.
Residents and patient-rights advocates in Panipat may seek clarity from hospital authorities and district administration on security protocols for diagnostic centres, vetting of contract staff and measures to ensure accompanying family members have access during scans where patients require support.
