BENGALURU: A 25-year-old woman who has accused Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swami of sexual harassment suffered an infection after doctors at KIMS allegedly subjected her to a two-finger test in violation of Supreme Court directives.
V S Ugrappa, chairman of the expert committee on prevention of crimes against women and children, told reporters on Tuesday that the hospital authorities conducted the two-finger test despite instructions from the police not to do so.
The woman was referred to KIMS by the Girinagar police after she filed a complaint against the Ramachandrapur Mutt pontiff, Raghaveshwara Bharathi, recently. She is the second woman to allege sexual harassment by the seer.
Describing KIMS’ act as inhuman and a violation of the right to privacy, Ugrappa said, “The committee, which discussed the incident in detail on Saturday, has decided to seek a report from the Health Department.”
Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami obtained anticipatory bail after the woman lodged a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment. Later, she also approached the committee with a complaint that the police were not taking the case seriously.
Ugrappa said the Supreme Court has clearly stated that medical procedures should not be carried out in a manner that constitutes cruelty
and are inhuman. He said the apex court’s ruling was that health should be of paramount consideration while dealing with victims.
‘Officer on Leave’
When contacted, KIMS Medical Superintendent Dr I Suresh told Express, “I am not aware of any such incident. Administrative medical officer Dr Madhushankar, who had conducted the preliminary test on the victim, has gone on leave.”