Daijiworld Media Network - Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta, Apr 11: A local court here on Friday sentenced ambulance driver Noufal, a native of Kayamkulam, to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old Dalit COVID-19 patient while transporting her to a treatment centre during the pandemic in 2020. He was also fined Rs 2,12,000.

The incident took place on September 5, 2020, when the victim was being taken to a COVID facility in Pandalam. Instead, the driver diverted the vehicle to a deserted area in the Aranmula airport project site and sexually assaulted her inside the ambulance.

After the assault, Noufal left the semi-conscious woman in front of a private hospital. Based on her statement, he was arrested promptly. Investigators faced major challenges due to the pandemic but gathered crucial digital and physical evidence, including a recorded apology call from the accused and GPS data.

As the survivor belonged to a Dalit community, charges under the SC/ST Act were also invoked. The case was probed by a special team led by DySP R Binu and prosecuted by District Public Prosecutor T Harikrishnan.

The verdict comes after the examination of 55 witnesses and 83 documents, and has been welcomed as a step toward justice in a case that had sparked state-wide outrage.