Patna, Bihar: A horrific incident gripped Bihar, after a nine-year-old Dalit girl, raped and brutally attacked with a knife in Muzaffarpur, tragically succumbed to her injuries after her family claimed she faced a six-hour delay in receiving critical medical attention at a Patna hospital.
According to reports, the young girl was reportedly lured away by Rohit Sahni, a local fish vendor, with the promise of snacks. Police allege that Sahni then took her to a deserted area, subjected her to a horrific rape, and subsequently slit her throat before fleeing from the scene.
The girl's mother, upon waking and discovering her missing, initiated a frantic search. Neighbours’ accounts of the girl being seen with Sahni led to his arrest. During interrogation, Sahni revealed the girl's location, where she was found semi-naked and grievously injured.
She was immediately rushed to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in the state capital for an advanced treatment.
Family Alleges 6-Hour Wait for Hospital Bed
Upon arrival at PMCH, the girl's family alleged that she was forced to endure a six-hour wait for a hospital bed, a delay they contend proved fatal.
PMCH In-charge Superintendent Abhijit Singh vehemently denied claims of negligence. "When she was admitted here, we provided complete medical care from our side. The family's claims that there was a delay in treatment are baseless. We did everything we could. We consulted all the departments that needed to be involved and ensured she received treatment in the ICU as well," he said, as quoted by NDTV.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In an X post, the party's official handle wrote, "Muzaffarpur's rape survivor daughter has lost. 'Chair' Kumar's cruel and indifferent system has won. The system that differentiates between rich and poor has won, and humanity has lost."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed similar sentiments, condemning the "extremely shameful" brutality and alleged negligence, saying, "If she was treated on time, she could have been saved. But the double engine government was negligent in saving her life, let alone ensuring her safety."
