Indian doctor suspended after viral video shows patient assault at Shimla hospital
An Indian doctor has been suspended after a viral video allegedly showed him punching a patient at a government hospital in Shimla. The incident, which occurred during a hospital visit for a bronchoscopy, sparked protests, a police investigation and the formation of a state-ordered fact-finding committee.
- Senior resident doctor suspended after preliminary hospital probe found him at fault
- Patient filed a police complaint; FIR registered and investigation ongoing
- Incident triggered protests at the hospital, prompting police deployment
INDIA: An Indian doctor has been suspended after a viral video allegedly showed him punching a patient inside a government hospital in northern India, triggering protests and a police investigation.
Viral video sparks outrage at Shimla hospital
The incident occurred on Monday (22 Dec) at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
The patient, identified as 36-year-old Arjun Singh, had gone to the hospital’s pulmonary medicine department for a bronchoscopy procedure.
Following the circulation of the video online, hospital authorities suspended Senior Resident Dr Raghav Narula after a preliminary inquiry found him at fault.
The probe was led by the head of the pulmonary medicine department, and a separate fact-finding committee has since been formed.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Health Minister Dr Dhani Ram Shanhdil have also sought a detailed report on the incident.
Police investigation underway
Police confirmed that Singh has lodged a formal complaint alleging he was physically assaulted by two doctors.
An FIR has been registered, and investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Statements from the accused doctors are expected to be recorded as part of the investigation.
Dr Narula has denied the allegations, saying he did not intend to assault the patient and claiming the patient had behaved rudely toward him.
He said he would present his version of events to the police.
Protests erupt on hospital grounds
Friends and relatives of the patient gathered at the hospital following the incident, demanding the immediate arrest of the doctors involved.
Protesters warned they would stage an indefinite strike inside the hospital premises if action was not taken.
Police were deployed at IGMC to prevent any escalation.
Allegations from the patient’s family
According to a friend of Singh, the patient experienced breathing difficulties after the bronchoscopy and was advised by a nurse to rest.
He later lay down in a pulmonary ward, where an argument reportedly broke out with two doctors.
The friend alleged that one doctor restrained Singh while the other repeatedly punched him in the face, causing visible bleeding.
Senior medical staff and hospital authorities intervened shortly after the altercation.
Authorities said further investigations are ongoing.
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