Doctor accused of raping patient after sedation in Lucknow; minister orders hospital sealing

A doctor at a private hospital in India has been accused of raping a female student after allegedly administering her a sedative injection during treatment, prompting a hospital shutdown and degree confiscation.

A doctor at a private hospital here was accused of raping a female student after allegedly administering her a sedative injection during treatment, police said on Friday.

In the wake of the allegation, the state health minister directed that the hospital be sealed and the doctor's degree be confiscated.

The student had been admitted to Tejas Hospital on May 18 after suffering a health episode, officials said.

''According to the complaint, the doctor allegedly called the patient alone into the operation theatre during treatment and asked the female staff and the victim's father to step outside. The victim alleged that the doctor administered an intoxicating injection and sexually assaulted her,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Twinkle Jain told reporters.

The victim, who belongs to the Dalit community, told police that she realised what had happened after the effect of the injection subsided, following which her family lodged a complaint.

Police said the accused, identified as Vijay Kumar Giri, a resident of Tambaur area in Sitapur district and proprietor of Tejas Hospital, was detained for questioning and the victim was sent for medical examination.

An FIR was registered against him under relevant sections of the BNS and the SC/ST Act at Bakshi Ka Talab police station, police said.

The accused was later arrested and produced before a court, according to a police statement.

Officials said clothes allegedly worn by the accused at the time of the incident were seized as evidence.

Police further claimed that during questioning, the accused admitted to the crime.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said on X that directions had been issued to seal Tejas Hospital in the Bakshi Ka Talab area here and suspend the medical licence of the accused doctor, Vijay Giri.

Pathak said instructions had also been given to the Ayurveda department to confiscate the doctor's Ayurvedic medical degree so that he ''can never discharge any kind of medical responsibility in future.''