The Pathanamthitta police probing the rape of a COVID-19 patient by an ambulance driver in Kerala, has revealed that there is audio evidence in the case to frame the accused. According to Pathanamthitta district police superintendent KG Simon, the 19-year-old woman who was assaulted, recorded the accused driver’s “apology” to her after the crime.
The woman, who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, was sexually assaulted in the wee hours of Sunday morning, while being shifted to a COVID-19 hospital in Aranmula. Noufal, who worked as a driver in Kerala’s 108 ambulance service, parked the vehicle in a deserted spot before assaulting the survivor. While Noufal was arrested after the crime, police said that they have found that the driver had a criminal background -- with an attempt to murder case against him in 2019. This has raised serious questions on what kind of background check is done when hiring ambulance staff. Moreover, many have questioned why no other health staff accompanied the driver.
“After the incident, he told her that what he did was wrong and not to tell this to anyone. She has recorded this. We have collected all the evidence at night itself,” KG Simon told the media.
“Our aim is to submit the charges as soon as possible. This was such a painful incident. It was our responsibility to find and arrest him at night itself. The woman did not know who he was. At night itself everyone was on the ground searching for him. We have collected all evidence,” he said.
The police have also said that the survivor’s health condition was stable.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has said that the accused will be dismissed from the job.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have blamed the government for the crime, accusing the LDF of failure. The Congress led a protest march to the office of District Medical Officer in Pathanamthitta while, BJP Chief K Surendran has demanded for the resignation of the Health Minister.
Watch KG Simon's reaction to media: