Ernakulam : Shocking revelation of an HIV-positive women aged 21 being brutally assaulted after being tied to the window for days together by the officials of a care home in Ernakulam has emerged raising serious questions on the safety and conduct of care homes in the state.
The details of the incident unfolded when the four accused – all employees of the care home applied for anticipatory bail plea at the Kerala High court.
The police, which registered an FIR on January 5, booked the accused persons under section 341 (wrongful restraint), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), and 326 read with section 34 (causing grievous hurt by multiple people) of the IPC.
“It was the girl who care home officials who had taken the girl to the police station. But we saw that she was inflicted with wounds and was found in a weak health condition. It was after a detailed probe that we came to know that the care home officials had assaulted her”, said Binanipuram SI Jayapal who is investigating the matter.
The 21-year-old was taken to a hospital in Ernakulam and was admitted.
The Binanipuram police registered a case after the authorities at the hospital where the woman was taken for treatment informed them about her injuries. The police, which registered an FIR on January 5, booked the accused persons ( Care home officials ) under section 341 (wrongful restraint), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), and 326 read with section 34 (causing grievous hurt by multiple people) of the IPC.
As per police, the woman, who lost her parents during childhood, endured immense suffering due to social stigma attached to HIV. Subsequently, she was shifted to a care home run by an NGO. Though was sheltered at several care homes, the incident pertaining to the case happened at a facility in Ernakulam on November 2023.
A doctor who treated the woman confirmed on July 3rd, 2024 that the fractures were due to assault and not other afflictions due to the low immunity as alleged by the accused in the court. The claim that she was assaulted was later confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist from the government mental health centre in Thrissur. This led to the conclusion that the 21-year-old was subjected to extreme physical torture in the care-home.
According to the police, the accused assaulted the woman as she went to stay at another care home for a brief period. Justice C S Dias following the submission made by the prosecution denied bail to the four accused — Bincy Suresh of Idukki, Rajesh K V of Chengamanadu, Bindu Kurian of Karumalloor and Saly of Kattappana — citing the seriousness and gravity of the accusations.
The accused contended in the court that victim is an HIV patient and has a very low immunity level and is suffering from osteoporosis. Due to her affliction, her bones are brittle, and she suffered fractures as a result of the infection.
Meanwhile, the public prosecutor submitted that the accused, who are responsible for serving society, have committed a severe offence by brutally assaulting an HIV-infected girl. The victim has no relatives or others to look after her. The prosecutor also informed the court that act of the accused was against the conscience of society.
The court accepted the prosecution argument and denied anticipatory bail to the accused.
The Binanipuram police registered a case after the authorities at the hospital where the woman was taken for treatment informed them about her injuries. The police, which registered an FIR on January 5, booked the accused persons ( Care home officials ) under section 341 (wrongful restraint), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), and 326 read with section 34 (causing grievous hurt by multiple people) of the IPC. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
