Nurse Assistant in UP’s Pratapgarh district dies at private hospital, family protests alleging ‘gang-rape, murder

The grieving family of a 22-year-old Dalit woman, who worked as a nurse assistant, staged a protest on Friday, alleging that she was subjected to gang rape before being murdered at a private hospital in Pratapgarh district, where she was employed. The tragic incident sparked outrage, leading to a tense situation in the area.

A panel of women doctors was assigned to conduct the postmortem examination on the woman’s body. To ensure transparency and thorough documentation, the entire procedure was recorded on video, according to officials familiar with the matter.

However, Pratapgarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Kumar ruled out sexual assault as a cause of death. He stated that the postmortem findings did not indicate any injuries or signs of violence on the woman’s body. Additionally, he mentioned that the exact cause of her death could not be immediately determined, leading authorities to preserve her viscera for further forensic analysis to ascertain whether poisoning or any other factor played a role.

Despite the lack of visible injuries, police officials suspect that poisoning could be the cause of death. Nevertheless, an official confirmed that based on the complaint lodged by the victim’s family, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against four individuals on charges of murder and gang rape.

The situation escalated following the woman’s death when her grieving family members, along with several others from their village, gathered outside the hospital and began protesting. Their demands for justice quickly led to a heated altercation with law enforcement personnel.

As tensions rose, reports emerged that a protestor was allegedly beaten by the police in an attempt to control the crowd. This act of force further agitated the protestors, who, in retaliation, started throwing stones at the police personnel present at the scene. The violence resulted in injuries to Circle Officer Raniganj and nine other police officers, exacerbating the already volatile atmosphere.

According to sources, the deceased woman was employed at Ma Multispeciality Hospital in Durgaganj. She had arrived at the hospital for her duty shift around 6:30 p.m., traveling there on a bicycle. However, just two hours later, her mother received an urgent phone call asking her to come to the hospital. When the victim’s younger sister arrived instead, she was reportedly denied entry and prevented from seeing her sister.

Later that night, the family was left in shock when an ambulance arrived at their village, carrying the lifeless body of the young woman. This unexpected turn of events fueled suspicion and grief among the villagers, who immediately stopped the ambulance and confronted the hospital staff accompanying the body. A chaotic scene unfolded as the villagers sought answers regarding her sudden and mysterious death.

Amid the rising tensions, the officer in charge of the Durgaganj police station intervened, attempting to pacify the villagers and assure them that a proper investigation would be conducted to bring justice to the victim. Despite these assurances, anger and mistrust lingered among the locals.

By Friday, the situation took another dramatic turn when the villagers carried the woman’s body back to the hospital, demanding accountability and transparency. The large-scale protest created further unrest, prompting law enforcement to deploy additional police forces to regain control of the situation.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection to the case, but police officials have confirmed that an in-depth investigation is underway. Authorities are collecting and analyzing footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed within the hospital premises and surrounding areas. Additionally, statements from hospital staff members are being recorded to piece together the events leading up to the woman’s tragic demise.

The police continue to explore all possible angles in the case, including professional or personal disputes, potential negligence by the hospital, or foul play by any individuals connected to the victim. Further forensic tests and witness testimonies are expected to shed more light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death.

The situation remains tense, with villagers demanding swift justice while law enforcement officials work to establish the facts. The case has not only highlighted concerns about safety and justice for women but has also raised questions about the actions and accountability of institutions meant to provide care and protection.