A facility manager at a government hospital in East Midnapore district in West Bengal was arrested on Monday for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting multiple female staff members of the same hospital. The accused, identified as Zahir Abbas Khan, was taken into custody following complaints from victims who claimed he exploited his position to perpetrate the crimes and issued death threats to silence them. Khan, employed with a private firm that was on contract service with the state government - placed at the Panskura Super-Speciality Hospital where he served as the facility manager.
According to police reports, one contractual female worker filed a formal complaint alleging that Khan summoned her to his office on the hospital's ground floor and raped her on a recent Sunday. She further accused him of repeated sexual assaults over time, using intimidation tactics to prevent her from speaking out. Other staff members have come forward with similar accounts, painting a picture of systemic abuse within the institution.
The complainant employed by Reliable Service Provider Ltd where Khan was a facility manager, alleged that Khan was perpetual offender, had tried outraging her modesty previously too. “I complained about Khan to a company manager who was posted here earlier but no action was taken. Yesterday, Khan told me that I would lose my job if I resisted him or told anyone. He tried to rape another contractual worker recently,” she claimed
East Midnapore District Police acted swiftly, arresting Khan on Monday after the initial complaint was lodged. Investigators are probing the extent of the allegations, which include multiple instances of rape and threats of violence. "We have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for rape and criminal intimidation," a police official stated, emphasising that the probe is ongoing to uncover any additional victims or accomplices.
This case emerges amid heightened scrutiny of safety protocols in West Bengal's medical facilities, following the high-profile RG Kar Medical College rape-murder incident in Kolkata. Advocates for women's rights have called for stricter oversight and better protection mechanisms for hospital employees, particularly contractual workers who may be more vulnerable to exploitation. Hospital administration has not yet issued an official statement, but sources indicate an internal review is underway. Local residents and medical unions have expressed outrage, demanding justice and reforms to prevent such atrocities. Khan remains in police custody as the investigation continues. Authorities urge any other potential victims to come forward confidentially.
