Wed Sep 17 01:00:35 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, suitable for publication on September 17, 2025:

**NEWS ARTICLE:**

**Hospital Manager Arrested in West Bengal Rape Case; Sparks Protests and Political Fallout**

**Panskura, West Bengal –** Zahir Abbas Khan, a manager at the Panskura Super Speciality Hospital in Purba Medinipur, has been arrested on charges of rape following a complaint filed by a contractual staffer at the facility. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday night, September 14, 2025, and has ignited widespread outrage and accusations of a long-standing pattern of abuse.

The survivor reported the incident to the Panskura Police Station, alleging that Khan lured her to his room under false pretenses before assaulting her and threatening her life if she reported the incident.

Following the survivor’s complaint, numerous other women from the hospital staff have come forward with similar allegations, claiming Khan routinely summoned them to his room and subjected them to sexual abuse over the past 4-5 years.

News of the allegations broke on Monday, September 15, leading to Khan’s arrest in Kolaghat, approximately 15 km from the hospital. Khan, who headed the contracting company employing the survivor, has denied the charges, claiming they are part of a conspiracy against him.

The arrest has triggered massive protests at the Panskura Super Speciality Hospital, with staff members alleging that previous complaints about Khan’s behavior had been ignored by the medical superintendent. The superintendent, however, denies any prior knowledge of the allegations.

“If our staff do this, then who will we trust?” the superintendent stated on Tuesday. “I came to know about these allegations only yesterday. If he has done this, then he should get the harshest punishment by the law.”

The incident has also taken on a political dimension. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the State, has expressed his support for the victims and claimed that protests organized by his party led to the arrest. Local Bharatiya Janta Party leaders allege Khan held considerable influence in the area.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh has distanced the ruling party from the incident, stating, “Police must investigate thoroughly. I call for strict punishment.”

This case has stirred painful memories of the 2024 rape and murder of a female doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which led to months of protests and public outcry.

Police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway. The incident highlights persistent concerns about workplace safety and the handling of sexual harassment allegations in the healthcare sector in West Bengal.

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