ICU sexual assault case in Kozhikode: survivor taken into custody after protest bid

The Medical College police took into preventive custody the survivor in the 2023 ICU sexual assault case at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, after she tried to stage a protest outside the Principal’s chamber on Thursday.

She was protesting against the re-appointment of five hospital staff, who were suspended and later transferred from the institution in the wake of her complaint that they had threatened her. A case related to her complaint is reportedly still pending in the court.

Addressing the media, she alleged that the State government had always been trying to protect the culprits in the case. “When I had met the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, they assured me of their support. However, if this is how they are supporting a sexual assault survivor, it is better they don’t do it. I need justice and I will continue my agitation till I get it,” she said. She claimed that an inquiry report by the Inspector-General of Police had clearly referred to the illegal actions of those hospital staff. “Only I know the trauma I had gone through… These people tried to humiliate and threaten me when I was still in the shock and pain of the assault… They should be dismissed from service,” she said.

The survivor came to the medical college in the morning and sought an appointment with K.G. Sajeeth Kumar, the principal, and sat outside his chamber. After sometime, the police arrived and took her into preventive custody along with Noushad Thekkayil, a human rights activist, who accompanied her. Meanwhile, the hospital authorities claimed that the re-instatement followed a court order.

The incident related to the case happened on March 18, 2023, when M.M. Saseendran, an attender at the hospital, allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was still under anaesthesia after a surgery in the intensive care unit. He was dismissed from service after an internal inquiry in August this year. Five of his female colleagues, including a nursing assistant, were transferred to other medical college hospitals after they were accused of threatening her and trying to persuade her to change her statement against Mr. Saseendran.