Since August 13, a five-year-old who was allegedly assaulted and tortured for one month, was admitted to four hospitals. But it was only after she narrated the goings-on in their neighbour’s house to her mother at the third hospital did doctors alert the police.
The girl had allegedly been tortured by her neighbour Chandana. Chandana’s male friend, who often visited her, allegedly sexually assaulted the girl.
On August 13, Chandana called the mother and said that her child had taken ill. “The mother took her daughter to Rajarajeshwari hospital where doctors diagnosed her with anemia and internal bleeding. With no sign of improvement, she shifted her daughter to the State-run Rajiv Gandhi hospital. Unhappy with the treatment, she took her daughter to Vijayashree Hospital. It was only then did the child reveal what had happened,” said a senior police officer. The doctors filed a medico-legal case. A few days later, when she developed complications, the girl was transferred to the intensive care unit in St. John’s for advanced treatment. However, she passed away early on Saturday morning.
The police are investigating how multiple injuries on the girl’s body were not noticed earlier. “Burn marks were visible on the body,” a senior police officer said.
The Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSCW) has sought a detailed report. “She is a child and does not come under the purview of the commission, but we will be seeking a detailed probe to ensure justice for the victim,” said K.G. Nagalakshmi Bai, chairperson, KSCW.
Medical negligence?
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is seeking an explanation based on media reports that the girl had not been admitted or given proper treatment at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. However, Asha Benakappa, the director of the institute, said the case never came to them.
Incidentally, last week, the Commission Chairperson Kripa Alva had spoken to Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on the need to conduct workshops for gynaecologists and psychiatrists to identify sexual assault cases.
