Dehradun Pocso Court Delivers Justice: Ward Boy Sentenced to 5 Years for Molesting Minor Patient
A special Pocso court in Dehradun has handed down a significant verdict, sentencing a 32-year-old ward boy from Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district to five years of rigorous imprisonment. The conviction stems from a disturbing incident of molestation involving a minor patient at Doon Hospital back in 2022. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a monetary fine of Rs 5,000 on the accused. Failure to deposit this fine will result in an additional one month of imprisonment, underscoring the court's firm stance on the matter.
Chilling Details of the Hospital Molestation Case Emerge
According to the public prosecutor involved in the case, the ordeal began when the victim's mother lodged a formal complaint at the city police station. She recounted that on December 20, 2022, she had taken her 17-year-old daughter to Doon Hospital after the girl suffered seizures. The minor was subsequently admitted for necessary medical treatment and care.
The complainant provided harrowing details, stating that around 11 pm, while her daughter was asleep in the hospital, the ward boy approached her. Under the false pretext of administering medicine for a headache, he escorted the girl to another cabin within the hospital premises. It was in this isolated cabin that the accused molested the vulnerable minor patient. The prosecution emphasized that the entire incident was captured on the hospital's CCTV cameras, providing crucial visual evidence that played a pivotal role in the investigation and trial.
Legal Proceedings and Survivor's Testimony
Police authorities acted promptly, registering a formal case in the matter on December 22, 2022. The accused ward boy was eventually arrested on July 17, 2023, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice. During the trial, the survivor bravely presented her statement before the court, detailing the traumatic experience.
She explained that she was unwell and had been admitted to the hospital by her mother. After complaining of a headache, the ward boy, who was on duty at the time, took her to an inner cabin. There, he began to molest her. The survivor testified that when she screamed in distress, the accused allegedly pushed her to the ground. She added that police personnel later arrived at the scene and rescued her from the situation.
Conviction Secured After Examination of Witnesses
The prosecution team left no stone unturned during the trial, meticulously examining six witnesses to build a robust case against the accused. This thorough legal process culminated in the conviction under the stringent provisions of the Pocso Act, which was delivered by the court on Saturday. The verdict serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences for such heinous acts, particularly those involving minors in vulnerable settings like hospitals.
The court's decision highlights the judiciary's commitment to protecting children from sexual offenses and ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate punishment under the law. This case also raises important questions about safety protocols and monitoring within healthcare facilities to prevent such incidents in the future.
