Woman, who tested Covid positive, raped by ambulance driver on way to hospital in Kerala

A Covid-19 infected patient was allegedly raped by an ambulance driver in Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala late on Saturday night.

Police officials said the ambulance driver was arrested within hours of the crime.

As per the standard Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) in Kerala, patients are allowed to be ferried to a hospital only by an ambulance.

Pathanamthitta district police superintendent K G Simon said the accused, identified as Noufal, was taken into custody and his arrest was recorded.

The driver, who hailed from Alappuzha district, was part of the the state health department's "108 ambulance service" . 

Police also found that the accused (29) was involved in several criminal cases, including a murder attempt in 2019.

The SP also informed that Noufal took the ambulance to a deserted ground on the way to the hospital and raped the woman. On reaching the hospital, the woman narrated the incident to the hospital staff who informed the police.

Police have recorded the statement of the victim. She was given special counselling at the covid hospital where she is being treated.

It is to be mentioned that the accused, who is in quarantine, would be produced in a court through a virtual mode, police added.

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