The alleged rape of an undertrial while undergoing medical treatment here came to light on Friday drawing strong condemnation from opposition leaders, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

According to Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police, Manoj Kumar, the woman, lodged at a jail in Sitamarhi in connection with a criminal case, had fallen seriously ill and was brought to the town on November 11 for treatment.

She underwent treatment at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital,was discharged on November 22 and taken back to Sitamarhi jail where she alleged that she was sexually assaulted on the night of November 14 in the hospital, the SSP said.

She alleged that she was raped inside the lavatory of the hospital where two persons, Shailesh Kumar and Chhote Lal, forced her to inhale some substance following which she fell unconscious, the SSP added.

The SSP said an FIR has been lodged at Ahiyapur police station in the district but "we are investigating the matter which, prima facie, does not sound convincing".

"CCTV footage of the time of the incident has been obtained by us from the hospital. The alleged victim can be seen being escorted to the door of the lavatory by a female police personnel and she came out within a couple of minutes. We are nevertheless probing the matter and action will be taken in accordance with law", the SSP said.

Meanwhile, the ailing RJD supremo who is serving sentences in fodder scam cases and undergoing treatment at a Ranchi hospital, tweeted "It is height of lawlessness that women are raped in custody and Chief Minister is quiet".

"Listen Nitish, being deadly silent on a crime is also a crime", Lalu Prasad said addressing his arch rival.

Prasad's official twitter handle is managed by his close aides and he has been shariing his views on the micro blogging site ever since he went behind the bars in December last year.

Prasad's younger son Tejashwi Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, tweeted in Hindi "this is the demonic good governance of Nitish Kumar. The incident is an example of inhuman administrative cruelty".

Congress leader and MLC Prem Chandra Mishra said "now women are not safe even inside hospitals. It is a matter of shame for the government".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)