Ambulance Driver Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping COVID-19 Patient in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: A Principal Sessions Court in Kerala on Friday sentenced Noufal, an ambulance driver to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old COVID-19 patient while she was being transported to a care centre in 2020.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1,08,000 on the convict. Noufal was found guilty on Thursday.

The incident occurred in September 2020 when the young woman was being transported to a COVID-19 Care Centre. According to the prosecution, the crime was premeditated by the ambulance driver.

On the night of the incident, at around 10 PM, Noufal placed the victim in the ambulance. Instead of taking her to Pandalam Hospital, which is only 10 minutes away from the pickup location, he transported her in a different ambulance from Adoor General Hospital, accompanied by another COVID-19 patient.

After dropping off the other patient at the local taluk hospital, Noufal took the ambulance to an isolated area and sexually assaulted the victim. She secretly recorded a conversation with the ambulance driver, in which he pleaded with her not to disclose the incident to anyone, warning that he would lose his job.

This audio clip became crucial evidence against him.

After reaching the COVID Care Centre, the survivor reported her harrowing experience to the officials. Based on her statement, the police were able to trace Noufal and take him into custody.

The case sparked widespread outrage, as the District Medical Officer had violated protocols by allowing a female patient to travel unaccompanied in an ambulance.

Noufal has a criminal history, with pending cases of attempted murder and assault. He was recruited without providing the mandatory police clearance certificate, which constitutes a significant oversight.

According to regulations, individuals hired for 108 ambulance services are required to present police clearance certificates.