A radiologist at a private scanning centre in Anekal has been booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman under the pretext of conducting a medical scan. The case, which surfaced earlier this week, has triggered widespread concern about patient safety in diagnostic facilities, particularly in smaller towns surrounding Bengaluru.
The accused, identified as Jayakumar, was working at the centre where the woman, accompanied by her husband, had gone for an abdominal scan. According to the police complaint, the radiologist allegedly touched her inappropriately and threatened her when she objected. The woman managed to record part of the incident on her mobile phone, which has now become key evidence in the case.
Alleged misconduct during scan
The woman, who was experiencing severe abdominal discomfort, visited the Anekal scanning centre with her husband. Based on her complaint, Jayakumar allegedly took advantage of the situation during the scan and behaved inappropriately, including touching her private parts.
The complaint further states that when the woman protested, the radiologist threatened her with dire consequences and used abusive language. Fearing for her safety but determined to gather proof, she discreetly recorded the incident on her phone. The recording was later submitted to the police as supporting evidence.
Police officials confirmed that the woman appeared distressed when she arrived at the Anekal police station to file her complaint. She was subsequently admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Bengaluru for further medical attention and counselling support.
Police register case; investigation underway
Anekal Police have initiated an investigation and booked the radiologist under relevant sections of the IPC dealing with sexual assault and criminal intimidation. Officers stated that they are scrutinising the video recording provided by the survivor and examining CCTV footage from the scanning centre.
Police sources said the accused is currently under interrogation, and further action will depend on forensic evaluation of the video evidence and witness statements. Authorities have also reached out to the scanning centre’s management to verify staff records, operational procedures and whether the facility had female support staff present during examinations, which is a critical safety requirement.
Investigators noted that such cases often hinge on digital evidence, and the survivor’s presence of mind in recording the act has strengthened the case. They also emphasised that medical establishments must follow strict protocols to ensure patient safety, particularly when female patients undergo scans in isolated rooms.
Similar case reported recently in Bengaluru
The Anekal case comes close on the heels of another incident reported in Bengaluru last month, where a 56-year-old dermatologist was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 21-year-old woman during a medical examination at his private clinic.
In that case, the woman alleged that the doctor touched her inappropriately, hugged and kissed her multiple times, and continued to make advances despite her objections. She approached the police soon after the incident, and the accused doctor, identified as Praveen, was remanded in judicial custody.
Safety advocates note that the recurrence of such cases points to a pressing need for stronger safeguards, including strict adherence to guidelines for the presence of female attendants, clear CCTV monitoring protocols, and awareness among patients to report misconduct immediately.
Growing concern over patient safety in private facilities
With Bengaluru and its surrounding areas hosting hundreds of private diagnostic centres and clinics, experts say there is an urgent need for better regulation. Many centres do not follow the mandated rule of ensuring a female attendant during examinations involving women.
Healthcare activists argue that rising incidents of misconduct highlight a systemic failure in safety mechanisms and monitoring. They also demand that scanning centres maintain transparent protocols, including periodic staff verification, ethical training and stronger reporting mechanisms for patient complaints.
Public health commentators point out that private clinics often operate with minimal oversight, allowing unethical practices to go unnoticed until a serious incident occurs. They believe that cases such as the one in Anekal should serve as a wake-up call for both regulatory authorities and the healthcare ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Anekal incident has once again underscored the vulnerability of patients—especially women—in private healthcare settings. As investigations progress, the case is expected to bring renewed attention to gaps in medical safety protocols. Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken based on the findings, while women’s rights groups have urged the government to strengthen monitoring frameworks to prevent such crimes in the future.