The Principal Sessions Court in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, on Friday (April 11, 2025) sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old COVID-19 patient inside an ambulance in 2020.
The court also ordered the convict, Noufal of Kayamkulam, to pay a fine of ₹1.08 lakh.
The incident took place in September 2020 when the young woman was being transported to a COVID-19 care centre. Noufal, who was assigned as the ambulance driver, deviated from the designated route and drove to a secluded area, where he sexually assaulted the patient.
Crucial video evidence
After the assault, the accused apologised to the survivor before dropping her off at the care centre. She, however, recorded a video of his apology, which became crucial evidence in the case.
Upon reaching the centre, the survivor disclosed her ordeal to the health officials present, who, in turn, alerted the police. Based on her statement, the police tracked down Noufal and took him into custody.
The case had sparked widespread public outrage, particularly over an alleged violation of protocol by the District Medical Office in sending a female patient unaccompanied in the ambulance.
Published – April 11, 2025 01:11 pm IST
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