Retired Doctor Arrested Under POCSO for Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor at Haryana Government Hospital

A retired government doctor working as a consultant at a public hospital in Haryana has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl who was admitted for treatment, according to media reports.

The accused has been identified as Dr. Shailender Kumar Shally, a retired Senior Medical Officer (SMO) who was serving as a consultant at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra. As reported by Hindustan Times, the Haryana Health Department terminated his services after the case was registered.

According to The Print, the 15-year-old girl was admitted to the female ward of LNJP Civil Hospital on May 29 after she complained of abdominal pain. Her father was also admitted to the same hospital for treatment and was reportedly under the care of the same doctor.

According to the father's complaint as per the reports, the doctor allegedly called the girl for a check-up, asked her to lie on an examination bed, and then sexually assaulted her.

The alleged assault caused severe pain and bleeding, after which the doctor admitted her to the female ward and left the hospital. Later that evening, as her condition deteriorated due to heavy bleeding, she was shifted to the emergency department, where she informed senior doctors about the incident.

A gynaecological examination reportedly found evidence consistent with repeated sexual assault. When her father visited her, he noticed she was visibly distressed. After repeated questioning, she disclosed the alleged assault.

The girl later informed authorities about the alleged assault, following which hospital officials and police were alerted. An FIR was subsequently registered against the retired doctor.

The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with sexual crimes against minors.

According to Hindustan Times, emergency duty doctor Dr. Upender stated that the girl had initially been admitted due to abdominal pain and was later brought to the emergency ward after experiencing bleeding.

Hospital officials confirmed that both the minor and her father were admitted to the government-run hospital when the alleged incident occurred, The Print reported.

Following the registration of the FIR, the Director General Health Services (DGHS), Haryana, ordered the immediate termination of Shally's consultancy services, according to The Print.

The doctor had previously retired from government service but had continued working at the hospital as a consultant after retirement.

As reported by Hindustan Times, Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia questioned the state government's decision to appoint the retired doctor as a consultant after his retirement. She sought details about the recruitment process, including any background checks and approvals, and called for greater accountability in public healthcare institutions following the allegations.

Police detained the accused doctor after registering the FIR and launched an investigation under the POCSO Act.

Investigators recorded statements and collected medical evidence while officials withheld further details about the case.

Authorities later formally arrested the doctor as the probe progressed.

(Rh/ARC)