Haryana Government Reduces Pension of Doctor Arrested for Sexual Assault
The Haryana Government has taken strong action against Dr Shailendra Kumar, a retired doctor who was re-engaged as a consultant at LNJP Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra. Following his arrest for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl during a medical examination, the government has reduced his pension from Rs 1.14 lakh to the minimum of Rs 14,000, including allowances.
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Health, Dr Sumita Misra, ordered the pension reduction after receiving approval from the Chief Minister. According to rules, this is the minimum amount to which his salary could be reduced.
Details of the Incident
According to a police spokesman, a resident of Kurukshetra filed a complaint on May 31 stating that Dr Shailendra Kumar had sexually assaulted her 15-year-old daughter at LNJP Civil Hospital. The incident occurred on May 29 when the father visited the hospital with his daughter to obtain medicine. Both were admitted to different wards. The girl later told her father that the doctor had sexually assaulted her, causing excessive bleeding. The accused doctor also threatened her not to disclose the incident.
Legal Action Taken
The police registered a case under Section 8 (sexual assault) and Section 10 (aggravated sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and arrested the doctor. After the matter came to light, ACS Health Dr Sumita Misra terminated the services of the consultant doctor and initiated the pension reduction process.
Background of the Accused
Dr Shailendra Kumar had retired from the Civil Hospital in Kaithal and was later re-engaged as a consultant at LNJP Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra. The swift action by the Haryana Government sends a strong message against medical misconduct and child sexual abuse.
