AIIMS Bhubaneswar Nurse Accused of Sexual Harassment; Staff Protest

Bhubaneswar: In yet another disturbing incident amid rising crimes against women in Odisha, a female hospital attendant at AIIMS Bhubaneswar has accused a Nursing Officer of sexual harassment. The complaint, lodged on Monday, has intensified tensions within the hospital campus and added to the ongoing public outcry over women’s safety in the state.

According to the written complaint filed at Khandagiri Police Station, the Nursing Officer, identified as Nanu Ram Choudhary, allegedly called the complainant into a doctor’s room late Sunday night, locked the door from inside, and misbehaved with her, including inappropriate physical contact.

The hospital attendant said she immediately informed the hospital control room, following which she was advised to formally report the incident to the police.

In response to the alleged assault, hospital attendants launched a protest on the AIIMS Bhubaneswar premises, demanding immediate action against the accused. As tensions escalated, the Inspector-in-Charge of Khandagiri Police Station reached the hospital and was engaged in talks with the protestors at the time of reporting.

This incident comes against the backdrop of a wave of high-profile crimes against women in Odisha, including the gang rape of a woman at Gopalpur beach, the self-immolation of a B.Ed. student in Balasore, and the burning of a minor girl in Balanga, Puri. These cases have sparked widespread outrage and demands for urgent reforms and stronger protections for women across the state.