Suspected COVID-19 Patient Allegedly Raped In Maharashtra Quarantine Facility By Another Inmate

In a shocking incident, a woman who had was under observation after showing coronavirus symptoms was allegedly raped at a quarantine centre in Navi Mumbai.

The incident happened on Thursday night at the COVID-19 quarantine facility India Bulls in Panvel.

The accused, identified as 25-year-old Shubam Khatu, another inmate who is COVID-19 positive.

Medical Science

According to police, it all began on Wednesday, when the accused, who was lodged on the second floor of the facility to the fifth floor to meet his brother.

Shubam accidentally knocked on the door of the room where the victim, a 40-year-old housewife was lodged.

After realising his mistake, Shubam apologised to her and left.

The next day, Shubam went to the woman's room again, this time, pretending to be a medical staff.

He started inquiring about her health and when the woman said she had body aches, the accused said she needed a massage and made her undress.

In the pretext of a massage, he then raped her inside the locked room.

BCCL

The woman complained to the authorities at the centre and an FIR was registered on Friday.

"There are some positive and suspected patients who have been admitted to the COVID-19 Quarantine Centre. There are about 400 of them. Among them was a lady who was allegedly raped. After being informed of the incident, we reached the spot and arrested the accused," Ravindra Geete (ACP-Panvel Zone-2, said.

Though a complaint has been registered Shubam who was booked under Sections 376 (rape) and 254 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has not been arrested after he tested positive for COVID-19 in a rapid antigen test.

REUTERS

"We have not arrested him. He is still under quarantine at the centre with security cover,¡± Senior police inspector Ashok Rajput said.

The BJP on Saturday slammed the Maharashtra government for the incident accusing it of mismanagement.

BJP leader Ram Kadam, while speaking to news agency ANI said, "What is the state government doing? These incidents are happening because of the Maharashtra Government's mismanagement and negligence. Some quarantine centres are also not providing meals on time."