Alleged rape victim to be examined again

Mumbai, Apr 16 (UNI) In a new twist to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital rape case, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said there was discrepancy in the dates of the 16-year old girl's admission to the hospital when she was allegedly raped and the duration of her pregnancy.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Patil said based on the sonography reports of three hospitals, the duration of her admission to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital on November 17 2006 to April 14 2007 when she lodged a police complaint alleging rape, is five months, while the duration of her pregnancy is six months and 21 days.

The 16 year old cancer patient is being re-examined at a Government Hospital to seek a fresh report. Meanwhile, two ward-boys have been taken into custody for questioning and doctors and anaesthesists, nurses present during the operation are being interrogated. All the neccessary medical tests will be done and investigations are in progress, Mr Patil assured the House.

Mr Patil said the complaint was yesterday lodged at the Bhoiwada police station by the victim and her parents, who reside in Goregaon in the western suburbs. According to the complaint, she was admitted to the women's general ward of the Tata Memorial Hospital on November 14,2006 and operated on November 18, She said she was raped between the time she was operated and taken to the ward. She said two ward boys passed vulgar comments. Based on the complaint, a criminal case was filed against the unidentified wardboys of the hospital. She was examined at the J J Hospital, where medical authorities told the police that the victim was 27 weeks pregnant.

The patient's file at the Tata Hospital was taken by the police and the chief surgeon, who carried out the operation was questioned.

The Deputy Chief Minister said based on the the hospital records the victim first came to the hospital for treatment for recurrence of circoma on October four, 2006. She was admitted to the Women's general ward on November 17, 2006 and operated upon on November 20 between 1000 hrs and 1330 hrs. Later, she was kept in the recovery unit and at 1800 hrs she was brought back to tha general ward.

The patient was discharged on December 12. While undergoing sonography at the Tata Hospital on March 29 2007, it was revealed she was 24 month's pregnant. She was sent to Wadia hospital in Parel on April six, where sonography revealed that she was 26 weeks pregnant. She was told that since the pregnancy was more than 20 weeks, it was illegal to abort the child. However, doctors gave in writing that since radiation was required for her cancer treatment, abortion could be done. On April 12, she was given only pain killers because radiation could pose danger to the unborn child.

On April 14, a complaint was lodged. But, no such complaint about rape was made to police or doctors treating her, prior to yesterday's complaint, Patil added.

UNI