The city police are struggling to trace the former district health officer (DHO), who allegedly gave juice laced with sedatives to a 30 year-old woman and raped her in a hotel at Sector-17, on Sunday.
Sources in the police said that footage of close-circuit television (CCTV) was scrutinized by the senior officials. The footage disclosed that both, the accused, Dr lalit Vermani and the complainant, were spotted entering the hotel. However, no other suspects were seen in the footage. Several important evidences in the matter were removed, before a police party reached the hotel room. The bedsheet, pillow covers and the glass were changed, added sources.
Investigating officer, Jaswinder Kaur, said that the accused is still at large and raids are being conducted to arrest him. However we are questioning the waiter, who served the juice to the victim and also the other staff members of the hotel. But the hotel staff has denied helping the accused.
The mobile number of the accused doctor has also been put on surveillance. But his mobile is switched off, but the accused will be caught once we trace the locations of his mobile number, added the official.
The accused doctor, lalit Vermani, who is an MBBS, took early retirement in 2006 and runs a clinic in Sector 2, Panchkula. Vermani was booked on Monday, for alleged rape with his patient, on the pretext of providing her a job.
The woman, who hails from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, said that she came in contact with the doctor six months ago, while she was seeking treatment from him for thyroid at his clinic. On Saturday, the woman went to the doctor for treatment, but as her turn came late, the doctor offered to drop her to her rented accommodation at Sector-11, Chandigarh.
On the way to her residence, she told the doctor that she was divorcee and was in search of a job. Verman then told her that his friend owns a company and he can provide her a good job.
On the next day, Vermani called her and said that his friend is in the City and he will take her interview at a hotel. Vermani then picked her from her residence and took her to hotel Shivalik view. In the room (510), the woman was offered a glass of juice, laced with intoxicants.
“After having the drink, I lost consciousness and he raped me. After two hours, when I gained consciousness, I found me and the doctor in inappropriate condition,” alleged the complainant.
After the incident, Vermani had threatened the victim and later dropped her to her residence. She woke up on Monday; as she was still under the effect of the sedative, and then lodged her complain with the police following which a case was registered.