Junior doctor in Lucknow booked under anti-conversion law, sexual assault

A 26-year-old junior resident doctor at a medical university in Lucknow has been booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman colleague on the pretext of marriage, with police also invoking Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law in the case. The university has placed the accused under suspension pending an internal inquiry.

Police said the complainant, also a junior resident doctor and from a different community, alleged that the two knew each other and that she was misled with repeated promises of marriage. According to the complaint, the accused visited her rented accommodation in Lucknow and sexually assaulted her under the guise of a future marriage.

The woman’s family, police said, recently uploaded a complaint on the Chief Minister’s portal and also approached the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission, prompting formal action.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that she was repeatedly raped on the pretext of marriage and became pregnant in September. When she informed the accused, she claimed, he gave her abortion pills.

Around the same time, she alleged, she came in contact with another woman who identified herself as the accused’s wife and claimed she had converted to Islam before their marriage, which was solemnised in February this year.

Police said the complainant alleged that when she confronted the accused, he denied the claims. She further stated that in October, when she again raised the issue of marriage, the accused initially agreed but insisted that she first convert to Islam.

When she refused, he allegedly began pressuring her to convert and threatened to malign her image. Under this alleged pressure, the woman is said to have consumed an overdose of tablets on December 17.

University officials said she was admitted to a hospital for treatment, has since been discharged, and is currently staying with her family.

Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 69 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means), 89 (causing miscarriage without a woman’s consent), and 351 (criminal intimidation). Police said the anti-conversion law was invoked as the accused allegedly pressured the woman to change her religion for marriage.

“The case has been registered against the accused doctor based on a complaint referring to an incident that allegedly took place in September,” the Station House Officer of the concerned police station said, adding that the victim has been sent for a medical examination and her statement will be recorded before a magistrate.

Taking serious note of the allegations, the medical university suspended the accused following an interim report by its internal committee constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Officials said the committee observed that allowing the resident to continue on duty during the inquiry could prejudice a fair and impartial investigation.

During the suspension period, the accused will not be allowed to perform official duties and will be barred from entering the university and hospital premises without prior written permission, except for inquiry proceedings.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway.