Himachal Pradesh government has revoked the termination order of Dr Raghav Narula, the senior resident doctor at IGMC Shimla who was dismissed following the December 22 patient assault incident. The decision was taken by the competent authority based on inquiry committee recommendations and other facts on record.
The Health and Family Welfare Department issued an order dated January 9, 2026, signed by Secretary (Health) Priyanka Basningty, revoking the termination order dated December 24, 2025. However, Dr Raghav Nirula has been strictly warned to maintain highest standards of professional conduct, restrain, discipline, and to strictly adhere to medical ethos. The order clearly states that any recurrence of such misconduct shall invite strict disciplinary action as per rules.
The revocation came after a committee was constituted to re-examine the incident. The committee conducted an inquiry on January 2, 2026, at IGMC Shimla and submitted its report stating that the incident was the outcome of irresponsible conduct by both parties, namely patient Arjun (36 years) and Dr Raghav Nirula. The committee observed that this was an isolated incident between two individuals resulting from a sudden outburst of anger.
According to the government order, a preliminary report was received from the disciplinary inquiry committee of IGMC through the Principal vide letter dated December 22, 2025. A scuffle had occurred between the patient Arjun and Dr Raghav Nirula, senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at IGMC Shimla on December 22, 2025, and the video of the incident spread across social media platforms.
Based on the preliminary inquiry report and video clipping, Dr Raghav Nirula was placed under suspension from his senior residency on December 22, 2025, under clause-9 of the Resident Doctor Policy 2025. His headquarter was fixed at Directorate of Medical Education and Research, HP. The Director of Medical Education and Research submitted the inquiry committee report on December 24, 2025, concluding that Dr Raghav Nirula was involved in the altercation and scuffle in the Male Pulmonary Ward at IGMC Shimla. Following this, the DME terminated Dr Raghav Nirula’s services from the post of Senior Resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine at IGMC Shimla vide orders dated December 24, 2025.
The inquiry committee noted that the initial incident, while regrettable, represented a singular lapse in judgment on the part of Dr Raghav Nirula. Dr Raghav Nirula has submitted an unconditional apology and expressed sincere remorse for the unfortunate incident, acknowledging that it reflected poorly on the prestigious institution. The committee noted that there is no prior record of complaint against the doctor.
The committee emphasized that the objective of disciplinary action is primarily corrective rather than purely punitive, especially when a compromise provides a sufficient basis for a review. Therefore, the committee unanimously resolved to recommend that the government of Himachal Pradesh compassionately review the disciplinary action orders dated December 24, 2025, against Dr Raghav Nirula, taking a lenient and sympathetic view of the manner.
The order states that on consideration of findings of the inquiry committee as well as other facts on record, it has been decided by the competent authority to revoke the termination order dated December 24, 2025, by taking lenient view in the matter. Based upon the recommendations of the inquiry committee, facts and circumstances of the case, the order revokes the termination order of Dr Raghav Nirula, Medical Officer (Pulmonary Medicine) (Contractual) issued vide order of even number dated December 24, 2025.
The development comes days after the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of IGMC Shimla had called off its indefinite strike on December 28 following assurances from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for a detailed inquiry and review of the termination decision. The RDA had withdrawn the strike “believing in the word of Honorable Chief Minister” while stating they would remain invested in the inquiry process until termination orders were revoked.
