Protests Erupt at Shimla Medical College After Patient Alleges Assault by Doctors
A major controversy has erupted at Himachal Pradesh's premier healthcare institution, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, following allegations that a patient was physically assaulted by two doctors. The incident, which occurred on Monday, triggered large-scale protests by the patient's relatives and friends, who demanded the immediate arrest of the accused medical practitioners.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The patient has been identified as Arjun Singh, a 36-year-old resident of Kupvi in Shimla district, who runs a canteen at a leading boarding school in the city. According to his friend, Vijju Pal, Singh is a pulmonary patient who had visited the IGMC's pulmonary medicine department for a scheduled bronchoscopy.
"We reached the institute around 11 am. After the test, a nurse advised Arjun Singh to take rest as he developed shortness of breath," Vijju Pal stated. He alleged that Singh went to the pulmonary medicine ward and lay down on a bed to recuperate.
It was at this point, according to the complaint, that the situation turned violent. "Two doctors arrived, and one of them behaved rudely with the patient. When Arjun Singh replied, both doctors attacked him," Pal claimed. He provided a graphic account, alleging that one doctor caught Singh by his legs while the other repeatedly punched him in the face, leaving him bleeding profusely.
Police Complaint and Conflicting Narratives
Following the incident, Arjun Singh filed a formal police complaint against two doctors, naming Senior Resident Dr Raghav Narula as one of the accused. Sub-Inspector Dilip Kumar, the investigating officer, confirmed the receipt of the complaint. "We have received a complaint from Arjun Singh and have started an investigation. The circumstances under which the alleged assault took place are being probed, and the statements of the accused doctors will be recorded," Kumar said.
However, when contacted, Dr Raghav Narula denied the allegations of assault. "I did not intend to assault the patient. The patient behaved rudely with me first. I will put my side before the police," he stated, presenting a conflicting version of events that the police investigation will need to unravel.
Widespread Protests and Hospital Response
The allegations sparked immediate and angry reactions. A large crowd of the patient's relatives and friends gathered on the IGMC premises, shouting slogans and demanding swift action. The protesters were unequivocal in their demand for the immediate arrest of the two doctors involved.
They further threatened to launch an indefinite strike inside the institute if authorities failed to take appropriate action. The protest was ongoing at the time initial reports were filed, prompting hospital authorities and senior medical officers to intervene in an attempt to calm the situation.
As a precautionary measure, police personnel were deployed at the hospital to prevent any untoward incident. The police have stated that a comprehensive investigation is currently underway to ascertain the complete sequence of events and determine culpability based on evidence and witness statements.
