MALAPPURAM: Causing concern about the dignity of women in labour room, a doctor allegedly tried to take nude pictures and video of a woman after delivery. Manjeri police on Thursday registered a case against Dr M C Joy of Prasanthi hospital after the woman approached Manjeri court. The police had come under fire for failure to register a case despite the victim lodging complaints with the District Collector and the district police chief.The court had on Monday directed the Manjeri police to register a case against two doctors and the nursing staff of the hospital. The issue triggered an outrage after the victim’s husband organised a press conference here on Thursday.
The complainant said the incident occurred on November 8, 2016. The woman was patient of a gynaecologist, who is also the wife of Dr Joy. After delivery, the gynaecologist left the labour room. Dr Joy allegedly entered the room and examined the patient by removing her cloths. The complainant said the doctor also captured her nude photos and videos. The complainant’s husband alleged the police failed to take proper action despite filing a complaint. “This forced me to approach the court,” he said.
The woman had approached Manjeri police on March 15 this year to lodge a complaint against the doctor. She approached the district police chief on March 18 after the police failed to initiate action. On April 11, she submitted a petition to the District Collector who directed the District Medical Officer to conduct an inquiry.
As the victim felt the police were trying to hush up the case, she approached the Manjeri court demanding steps to register a police case against Dr Joy, who is also the owner of the hospital, his wife, and two nursing staffers.The petition alleged the DMO’s report was in favour of the doctor, who was also a functionary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). However, Dr Joy refuted the allegations and said he entered the labour room to treat a patient, who needed emergency care for bleeding. He said DMO’s report had found the allegations were baseless.