A disturbing allegation involving a young woman’s body inside a hospital morgue has triggered outrage, protests, and urgent calls for accountability at Dickoya Base Hospital in Hatton.
The administration of Dickoya Base Hospital in Hatton has launched an internal investigation following disturbing allegations that three hospital employees entered the morgue at night and violated the body of a young woman kept there for a post mortem examination.
The incident has shocked the local community and sparked protests by plantation workers who gathered outside the hospital demanding justice and transparency. Demonstrators blocked sections of the Hatton Bagawanthalawa main road on March 3 while demanding immediate action against those responsible.
According to reports, the deceased was a 23 year old woman from the Hatton Police Division who had died by suicide on February 23 following a family dispute. Police conducted preliminary inquiries and transferred the body to the Dickoya Base Hospital morgue the same night to await examination by a specialist forensic doctor.
The hospital morgue custodian later informed the hospital superintendent that three hospital staff members had allegedly entered the morgue during the night and removed clothing from the body. The complaint raised serious concerns about possible misconduct involving the deceased woman.
Relatives of the young woman later questioned hospital authorities regarding the alleged incident, increasing pressure on the administration to explain what had happened inside the morgue.
Local plantation trade union leaders and estate workers organized the protest after accusing hospital management of failing to take prompt action. Protesters asked the Officer in Charge of Norwood Police to disclose what steps had been taken to investigate the matter.
Norwood Police officials and Medical Superintendent M S Fazeel addressed the protesters and confirmed that security camera footage showed three hospital employees entering the morgue area on the night in question. The superintendent also explained that he was informed about the incident two days later on February 25.
He further stated that the post mortem examination had not revealed evidence confirming such an act. Nevertheless, a three member panel of specialist doctors has been appointed to conduct an internal investigation.
Hospital authorities assured protesters that the inquiry would be impartial and that strict disciplinary action would follow if wrongdoing is proven.
Despite these assurances, protesters say they remain concerned about women’s safety at the hospital and have called for an independent police investigation. The family of the deceased has also expressed reluctance to exhume the body for another post mortem.
