Udham Singh Nagar, August 15, 2024: In a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves throughout Uttarakhand, a nurse was allegedly raped and murdered while returning home from her shift at a private hospital in Nainital. The accused, identified as Dharmendra Kumar, a daily wage laborer from Bareilly, was arrested on August 14.
The tragic incident occurred on July 30 in the Udham Singh Nagar district, with the victim’s body later discovered in an empty plot in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, on August 8. The nurse was reported missing by her sister on July 31, after she failed to return home the previous night.
According to the police, Kumar, who is reportedly a drug addict, spotted the nurse walking alone and decided to attack her. He allegedly dragged her into nearby bushes, where he raped her and strangled her to death. The suspect then robbed her of her belongings, including jewellery, before fleeing the scene. Authorities were able to track the victim’s phone, leading to Kumar’s arrest in Rajasthan.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath T C revealed that the victim put up a fierce fight but was ultimately overpowered by the assailant. The heinous crime has left the community in mourning and raised serious concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.
This incident comes amidst widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor on the premises of the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9, which has led to protests and strikes by the medical community.
As investigations continue, the healthcare community and civil society are demanding swift justice for the victims and greater security measures for women, especially those working in vulnerable professions.
