Family members foil sexual assault on mentally challenged patient at Erragadda hospital

Hyderabad: A presence of mind shown by family members averted a sexual assault on a mentally challenged patient at Erragadda Government Mental Health Care Hospital.

A female mentally challenged patient narrowly escaped a potential assault due to the quick response of her family members.

The victim, a 40-year-old woman from Khammam district, was brought to the hospital for treatment on Wednesday. As they were waiting at the outpatient (OP) block for admission, a disturbing episode occurred that could have had dire consequences.

While the victim went to answer nature's call in nearby bushes, two individuals took advantage of the situation. One was a fellow patient within the facility, and the other was an attendant to a different patient.

Seizing the opportunity, the two individuals took the woman deeper into the bushes and attempted to disrobe her. When the patient did not return after 15 minutes, her family members ventured into the bushes and discovered two unfamiliar individuals trying to remove her saree.

Upon spotting them, the attackers hastily fled from the scene. The patient's family members identified the culprits as Rohit and Fayaz.

Hospital Superintendent Umashankar, who was informed about the distressing incident, told the media that the patient's family members didn't want to file a police complaint, and this was conveyed to him in writing.