Kollam, Kerala: In a shocking incident, the Kollam district police arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman doctor at her dental clinic in Pathanapuram on Saturday. The accused has been identified as Saldan, a native of Karamood.
Assault Attempt Thwarted by Doctor and Local Intervention
According to the Pathanapuram police, the accused entered the clinic posing as a patient seeking treatment. Once inside, he allegedly attempted to gag the doctor using pieces of cloth and sexually assault her. However, the doctor managed to raise an alarm, alerting nearby locals.
“Her father’s shop is located near the clinic. Hearing her cries, people rushed in and managed to catch the accused red-handed,” a police officer told PTI.
Investigation Underway, Accused in Judicial Custody
Following his arrest on Saturday evening, police recorded the doctor’s detailed statement and took the accused to the clinic the next day for evidence collection. A local court later remanded him to judicial custody, and further legal proceedings are underway.
Rising Violence Against Women Doctors Sparks Concern
The incident comes amid a growing number of reports involving violence and harassment against female medical professionals. Earlier, We reported a similar disturbing case in Tamil Nadu, where a female dentist was brutally assaulted by a male colleague after she rejected his marriage proposals.
The repeated targeting of women doctors—in both public and private settings—has led to calls from the medical fraternity for stronger workplace protections and security arrangements, especially for female practitioners working alone.
Police Urge Clinics to Enhance Safety Measures
In light of this latest incident, law enforcement officials have urged private clinics and solo practitioners to install CCTV cameras, ensure panic alert systems, and establish local support networks for emergency situations. Police also assured the public that the accused will face strict legal consequences.
