The Haryana government has taken strict action against a retired doctor who was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a minor girl during a medical examination at LNJP Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra. The BJP-led state government has reduced the doctor’s monthly pension from Rs 1.14 lakh to Rs 14,000, the minimum amount allowed under the rules.
The action was approved by the Chief Minister and implemented by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Dr Sumita Misra. Apart from the pension cut, the doctor’s services as a consultant at the hospital had already been terminated after the case came to light.
Doctor arrested under POCSO Act
The accused, Dr Shailendra Kumar, had retired from Civil Hospital, Kaithal, and was later re-engaged as a consultant at LNJP Civil Hospital, Kurukshetra. Following a police investigation, he was arrested under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police registered a case under Sections 8 and 10 of the POCSO Act, which deal with sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Complaint filed by the girl’s father
According to police, a resident of Kurukshetra approached authorities on 31st May and complained that his 15-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted by the doctor during treatment at the hospital.
The complaint stated that on 29th May, the father had visited LNJP Civil Hospital to obtain medicines for himself and his daughter. Both were admitted to separate wards. Later, the girl informed her father that the doctor had sexually assaulted her during the medical examination.
The family also stated that the minor suffered excessive bleeding after the incident. The doctor had reportedly warned the girl not to tell anyone about what had happened.
Government orders strict action
Soon after the matter surfaced, the Haryana Health Department initiated action against the doctor. Dr Sumita Misra ordered the termination of his consultancy services, and the government later decided to slash his pension to the lowest permissible level.
Officials said the reduction from Rs 1.14 lakh to Rs 14,000, including allowances, is the maximum pension-related penalty that could be imposed under the applicable rules.
