A senior resident doctor at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla has been suspended indefinitely after a video showing him physically assaulting a patient inside a hospital ward went viral on social media. The shocking incident has prompted the state government and hospital administration to constitute a high-level inquiry committee.
Details of the Viral Incident and Allegations
According to a relative of the patient, Naresh Dashta, who spoke to news agency ANI, the victim is Arjun Pawar, a teacher and resident of Cheta village in the Kupi area of Chaupal. Pawar was admitted as an IPD patient at IGMC for an endoscopy procedure. After the procedure, he was reportedly advised to rest for two hours in the Pulmonary Department due to chest-related issues.
Naresh Dashta alleged that while Arjun Pawar was lying on a hospital bed, a senior resident doctor identified as Raghav and another doctor from the Pulmonary Department began behaving rudely with him. "They spoke badly to Arjun Pawar. When he told the doctor that he had been referred there for rest, the doctor continued misbehaving. When Arjun Pawar requested him to speak politely, the doctor responded offensively," Naresh claimed.
The situation allegedly escalated into physical violence. "You have seen in the video how a patient on oxygen, who was bedridden, was beaten," Naresh stated, referring to the widely circulated clip. "Another doctor held his legs, and the patient started bleeding. This is nothing short of an attempt to murder." The family has demanded that the police register an attempt-to-murder case against the doctor involved.
Naresh further claimed that there have been several past complaints against the same doctor. He warned of protests outside the Superintendent of Police's office if immediate arrest and strict action were not taken, seeking a fair inquiry that includes public representatives.
Hospital Administration's Response and Immediate Action
Dr. Rahul Rao, the Medical Superintendent of IGMC Shimla, provided the hospital's version of events to ANI. He stated that the incident occurred in the Pulmonary Medicine Department where a patient had come for a bronchoscopy and was advised post-procedure rest. "As per hospital protocol, only inpatients are allowed in the ward. During this time, there was an argument and some pushing between the senior resident doctor and the patient," Dr. Rao explained.
He emphasized that the matter was immediately escalated to the Head of the Pulmonary Department, the Deputy Medical Superintendent, and other senior officials. "The government took cognisance of the issue and directed us to take immediate action. As per the orders of the Chief Minister and Health Minister, we submitted our report," he added.
Dr. Rao confirmed that the doctor has been suspended and his headquarters have been fixed at the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in Shimla, where he must report until further orders. "A high-power committee has also been constituted to investigate the matter. We are conducting the inquiry in a fair and transparent manner, and no one will be protected," he assured.
Highlighting the speed of the response, Dr. Rao noted, "We came to know about the incident between 1:00 and 1:30 pm. A committee was formed, and by around 6:00 pm, the government issued directions. Within four hours, a decision was taken." He also clarified that a brief gathering of resident doctors outside the A-Block was peacefully dispersed after appeals from authorities.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications
The newly formed high-level committee is now tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the entire episode. Its findings will determine the final course of disciplinary and possibly legal action against the accused doctor.
This incident has cast a shadow over the reputation of a major government hospital. Naresh Dashta's statement reflects this concern: "Because of one such doctor, the entire IGMC is being defamed. There are many good doctors in IGMC who behave well, but such incidents bring shame to the institution and the state."
The patient, Arjun Pawar, is currently reported to be stable and continues to receive treatment at the hospital. The case has sparked a broader conversation about patient rights, doctor-patient relationships, and accountability within government healthcare facilities in India.
