A lab technician has been arrested for rape after he allegedly took swab samples from a woman’s private parts during a coronavirus test at Badnera in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, police said on Thursday.

Maharashtra women and child development minister Yashomati Thakur said strict action would be taken against the accused, while Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande demanded measures to ensure security of women at Covid-19 hospitals.

The complainant works at a mall. After one of the staff members tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, nasal swabs of 20 to 25 other employees were taken at a testing centre, inspector Punjab Wanjari of Badnera police station said.

The technician allegedly took a swab sample from the complainant’s private parts after taking a nasal swab of her, the officer said.

After the woman lodged a complaint, the accused was arrested on Tuesday night under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 376 (rape), he said.

“The technician has been booked under IPC Sections 354 and 376 and he will not be spared. Such a test is not done and this is an atrocity (against the woman),” minister Thakur said.

Thakur, who is also the guardian minister of Amravati, said it was shocking that such an incident took place in the district which gave the country its first woman President Pratibha Patil.

Minister of state for home Shambhuraje Desai said he would speak to local police officers and ensure that a watertight case is presented against the accused in court.

Sena leader Kayande said there should be a standard operating procedure for Covid care centres where women are admitted, so that issues of security and hygiene are taken care of.