Outrage in India After Death of 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Amid Alleged Medical Negligence in Bihar

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

---

Image Source: Seetu Tewari/Getty Image

The death of a 10-year-old rape victim in Bihar’s capital Patna has triggered national outrage, raising questions about medical negligence, hospital accountability, and the broader state of healthcare in the eastern Indian state.

The minor, belonging to the Dalit community, died on Sunday morning at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), one of Bihar’s largest state-run hospitals. Her family alleges that a critical delay in treatment specifically being made to wait in an ambulance for nearly four hours contributed to her death.

A Tragic Sequence of Events

The girl was reportedly raped on 26 May in Muzaffarpur by a man living near her aunt’s residence. After going missing while playing, she was later found by family members, severely injured and with multiple stab wounds. Authorities arrested the accused, and the case remains under investigation.

She was initially treated at a local hospital and then referred to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), before being moved to PMCH for specialized surgery on her windpipe. While SKMCH officials stated that her condition had stabilized, the transition to PMCH marked a disturbing turn in her treatment timeline.

Her uncle claims the child was kept in the ambulance for four hours while hospital staff made the family run between departments before finally admitting her to the gynaecology ward. “We were desperate to save her, but no one was responding seriously,” he told local media.

Hospital Denies Allegations

PMCH officials have refuted all claims of delay or negligence. IS Thakur, a senior administrator at PMCH, said the child was first taken to the pediatrics department and then shifted to ENT due to the nature of her injuries. However, due to the lack of an ICU in ENT, she was admitted to the ICU in the gynaecology department.

“The child arrived in an Advanced Life Support ambulance, and our team acted as per medical protocol,” Thakur said. “Allegations of delay are baseless.”

Political Storm and Public Outcry

The incident has sparked widespread protests, especially from opposition parties. The Indian National Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have demanded accountability from the state government, which is led by a coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal United (JD-U).

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the child’s death “extremely shameful” and urged for strict action against those responsible. “What’s the point of massive hospital buildings when there is chaos, corruption, and insensitivity inside?” the RJD posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Protestors clashed with hospital officials over the weekend, and demonstrations erupted across Patna. The National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women have taken note of the matter and called for an immediate inquiry into the hospital’s role.

Spotlight on Bihar’s Healthcare System

This incident has reignited criticism of Bihar’s struggling healthcare infrastructure, especially ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. A Times of India editorial titled “Bihar’s Shame” pointed to systemic failings, referencing a report which found that only half the ventilators in government hospitals are functional, and Patna has just one government doctor for every 11,541 people.

Just last month, another hospital in Patna faced backlash after a patient reported being bitten by a rat while asleep an incident emblematic of broader hygiene and safety concerns.

While BJP spokesperson Anamika Singh Patel expressed sorrow over the child’s death, she defended the government: “Getting a hospital bed takes time. Our administration is doing its best under challenging circumstances.”

A Nation Demands Justice

As investigations continue, the tragic death of the young girl has become more than just a case of medical mishandling it reflects deep-rooted problems in India’s healthcare delivery, caste-based disparities, and administrative inefficiencies.

Under Indian law, the identity of rape victims cannot be disclosed.