Medanta denies alleged sexual assault on air hostess in ICU, submits CCTV footage to police

Medanta Hospital in Gurugram has rejected an air hostess’s claim of being sexually harassed by a hospital staffer while she was on a ventilator in the ICU, allegedly in the presence of two nurses. In a statement issued on April 15, the hospital said that “no allegations have been substantiated” so far and that it has submitted CCTV footage and relevant medical records to the police.

The hospital added that it is “fully cooperating with investigations conducted by the relevant authorities”.

“We have been made aware of a complaint from a patient and have been fully cooperating with the investigations conducted by the relevant authorities,” the statement read. 

It added, “At this stage, no allegations have been substantiated, and all relevant documents, including CCTV footage from the hospital for the time period in question, have been handed over to the police.”

Medanta air hostess case: What has happened?

The air hostess, who alleged sexual assault, was admitted to the hospital on April 5 after she nearly drowned during a swimming pool training session by her company and was transferred from a smaller facility.

At Medanta, she received emergency treatment and was placed on a ventilator for over a week. According to her complaint, the alleged assault by a ward staffer took place on April 6. 

After being discharged on April 13, she confided in her husband, who then dialled 112 to inform police about the incident. A formal complaint was filed at the Sadarpur Police Station in the presence of a legal advisor.

What did the complaint say?

“During the treatment, on April 6, she was on a ventilator, during which some staff of the hospital sexually assaulted her. At that time, she was on a ventilator and could not speak and was very scared. She was also unconscious at the time of the incident, and two nurses were also around her,” the complaint said.

Police are investigating the case

The victim’s statement has been recorded before a magistrate, and an official investigation is ongoing. Gurugram Police have begun reviewing the CCTV footage submitted by Medanta Hospital.

“A woman filed a complaint on April 14 at Sadarpur Police Station. The complainant said she was on a ventilator during the incident… and was unconscious at the time of the incident. She also said two staff nurses were talking to each other (during the incident),” NDTV quoted Assistant Sub Inspector Sandeep of Gurugram Police as saying. 

He, per NDTV, added, “The victim also said she was in a semi-conscious condition… CCTV footage from the hospital is being checked by the police. The case is being investigated.”