<p>Pathanamthitta (Kerala): A court here on Friday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old Covid-19 patient while she was being transported to a first-line treatment centre near here in 2020.</p>.<p>The quantum of punishment was pronounced by the Principal Sessions Court. It had convicted Noufal, 29, who hails from Kayamkulam, on Thursday.</p>.<p>The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2,12,000 on the convict.</p>.Missing boy found dead in pond; neighbour held for murder in Kerala.<p>The shocking incident allegedly took place at midnight on September 5, 2020, when the people of the country were living in the fear of Covid-19.</p>.<p>Hailing the verdict, investigating officers said that collecting evidence in the case was a highly complicated task due to the alarming spread of the virus in the state at the time.</p>.<p>However, the police managed to gather all the necessary evidence and ensured a proper sentence for the accused, they added.</p>.<p>The assault occurred in a deserted area of Aranmula while the victim was being taken from Adoor General Hospital to the Covid centre in Pandalam.</p>.<p>The incident came to light when the survivor recounted the harrowing experience to medical personnel upon arriving at the treatment facility.</p>.<p>Acting swiftly on her statement, the police apprehended Noufal and placed him under arrest.</p>.<p>The incident sparked widespread public outcry across the state, with many criticising the health authorities for sending a female patient alone in the ambulance.</p>
<p>Pathanamthitta (Kerala): A court here on Friday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old Covid-19 patient while she was being transported to a first-line treatment centre near here in 2020.</p>.<p>The quantum of punishment was pronounced by the Principal Sessions Court. It had convicted Noufal, 29, who hails from Kayamkulam, on Thursday.</p>.<p>The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2,12,000 on the convict.</p>.Missing boy found dead in pond; neighbour held for murder in Kerala.<p>The shocking incident allegedly took place at midnight on September 5, 2020, when the people of the country were living in the fear of Covid-19.</p>.<p>Hailing the verdict, investigating officers said that collecting evidence in the case was a highly complicated task due to the alarming spread of the virus in the state at the time.</p>.<p>However, the police managed to gather all the necessary evidence and ensured a proper sentence for the accused, they added.</p>.<p>The assault occurred in a deserted area of Aranmula while the victim was being taken from Adoor General Hospital to the Covid centre in Pandalam.</p>.<p>The incident came to light when the survivor recounted the harrowing experience to medical personnel upon arriving at the treatment facility.</p>.<p>Acting swiftly on her statement, the police apprehended Noufal and placed him under arrest.</p>.<p>The incident sparked widespread public outcry across the state, with many criticising the health authorities for sending a female patient alone in the ambulance.</p>