Inquiry committee: Doctor accused of patient’s rape declared innocent

Police investigation of allegations made by girl’s father continues.

FAISALABAD:

The doctor, who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old patient at the district headquarters hospital, has been declared innocent by a committee formed by the hospital to investigate the matter.

Additional Medical Superintendent Habib Buttar, on Saturday, said the committee comprising Punjab Medical College Vice Principal Muhammad Ali Tirimzi, Dr Muhammad Hafeez, Dr Zia Shahid and DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Muhammad Arif had found that the rape allegations against Dr Nasir Baig were not true.

He said, “In the application to the Civil Lines police the girl had said that she was abducted from the hospital…whereas in her application to the inquiry committee she said she was abducted from her home.”

Buttar said, “On account of the contradictory statements as well as medical report of the victim, the inquiry committee has found Dr Nasir Baig innocent of the abduction and rape charges.”

Civil Lines SHO Masood Nazir said the police were investigating the matter. He said, “We will proceed in accordance with law.”

The girl’s father, a resident of Chak 226-RB, the complainant in the case, on Friday said Baig had kidnapped his daughter on June 28 and had detained her. He accused Baig of repeatedly raping the girl for three days before abandoning her near the hospital gate on July 1.



Meanwhile, Medical Teachers’ Association Information Secretary Irfan Ali said the police had harassed the doctors at the hospital. He said the police had also not obtained permission from the medical superintendent before entering the hospital.

“Pakistan Medical Association, Faisalabad, has decided to stage a protest demonstration on Monday against the harassment of doctors by the police and implication of doctors in false cases,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2013.