Two disturbing incidents at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana on Wednesday have raised serious questions about security and law enforcement at the facility. In the first case, a man was allegedly attacked and brutally beaten by a group of approximately eight individuals in full public view. A video of the assault circulated widely on social media. In a separate incident, a resident doctor was allegedly assaulted after he objected to a person taking photographs of a child admitted to the hospital.
Despite both incidents taking place on the premises of a government hospital, no formal complaint has been lodged in either case. This has left the police unable to initiate any legal action against the perpetrators.
First Incident: Man Beaten in Front of Mother
The video from the first incident shows a mother pleading for her son's life as he is beaten by a group of men on the hospital grounds. The victim's mother recounted that the dispute began over a parking issue on Gill Road on Wednesday evening. Her son had parked his vehicle in front of a nearby factory, which the factory owner objected to. When her son returned, an argument ensued, leading to the assault.
Following the altercation, the victim and his family went to Civil Hospital for a medico-legal examination. The mother alleged that the factory owner, accompanied by several others, followed them to the hospital and attacked her son again. In the video, she is seen running around helplessly as the suspects continue the assault. Police personnel arrived at the scene after some time.
Second Incident: Doctor Assaulted
In the second incident, a resident doctor was allegedly assaulted after he confronted a man who was taking photographs of a child patient. The man claimed to be associated with an NGO. The doctor objected to the photography, leading to an argument and the subsequent manhandling of the doctor. Hospital authorities called the police, and the matter was reportedly resolved on the spot.
Police Cite Lack of Complaint
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sameer Verma stated that the police could only act if a formal complaint was filed. In both incidents, no complaint has been received, so no legal action can be taken at this time.
Inadequate Security at Hospital
The Civil Hospital handles a large number of patients daily, including accident victims, undertrials, and individuals requiring medico-legal examinations. Despite the high footfall and sensitive nature of cases, only two police personnel are deputed at the hospital. Hospital employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that such incidents have become routine due to the lack of adequate security and the absence of any deterrent.
Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur confirmed that in the first incident, the scuffle occurred on hospital premises and no complaint was lodged. Regarding the second incident, she said that the police were called and the matter was resolved.
Another Attack in City
In a separate incident, a shopkeeper near Division Number 3 police station was attacked by two youths after he refused a request related to a transaction. The suspects used sharp weapons and threw bricks at the victim, who was rushed to Civil Hospital in critical condition. The attackers fled the scene, and police are investigating. Local shopkeepers and residents expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.
