Kerala Police have arrested a driver of 108 ambulance service for allegedly raping a 19-year-old COVID-19 positive girl at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district while on her way to the hospital. The accused has been identified as Noufal (25).
According to the police, the incident happened on Saturday night when the alleged victim’s COVID-19 test came positive and was sent to the hospital along with an elderly woman, who was also tested positive.
“Health workers sent two women in an ambulance to two different hospitals. After dropping one patient, Noufal took the victim girl to a lonely place and sexually assaulted her. Later he dropped her at the COVID-19 care centre around midnight, the complaint stated,” the police said.
Kerala health minister KK Shailaja in a statement said that she has directed GVK company, the operational partner of the state health department’s ‘108 ambulance service’ to dismiss the driver.
She also expressed her shock over the incident and directed the police to take action to ensure strict punishment to the accused. Further investigation on the matter is underway.
