THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An employee at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman who was bedridden following hip surgery. According to the complaint, the employee groped the woman and inappropriately touched her private parts while she lay sedated in the ICU.

The accused, identified as Dilkumar, a Grade 2 employee of the Orthopaedics Department, was taken into custody by the Medical College Police. Hospital authorities confirmed that he has been suspended from service.

The incident occurred on Friday at around 7:30 PM. After finishing his shift, the accused reportedly assaulted the sedated young woman while no one else was present in the ICU. The victim informed her relatives about the incident when they came to visit.

The relatives immediately informed the nurses that night. The nurses submitted a report regarding the incident to Hospital Superintendent Dr. B.S. Sunilkumar the following morning. Subsequently, a preliminary investigation was assigned to the Resident Medical Officer (RMO). Statements from the victim and her relatives were recorded.

The RMO's report found Dilkumar guilty and submitted it to the Superintendent. After informing the Principal and the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Superintendent issued an order suspending Dilkumar, who was employed through the Employment Exchange.

The Medical College Police were also informed. The accused was summoned to the hospital and taken into custody. The police stated that he would soon be presented before the court.