A shocking incident of violence at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) Shimla has triggered widespread outrage after a viral video showed a senior resident doctor physically assaulting a patient lying on a hospital bed. The state government has suspended the accused doctor and ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Arjun, a resident of Mashaut village in Kupvi area of Shimla district, was undergoing treatment at IGMC. A video showing the altercation went viral on social media, leading to immediate action by hospital authorities and police.
What happened at IGMC
According to the patient’s account, Arjun underwent a bronchoscopy test at around 12:00 PM on Monday. Following the procedure, doctors advised him to rest on the bed. The patient reported experiencing breathing difficulties when senior resident doctor Dr. Raghav Narola arrived at his bedside to inquire about the test.
Arjun alleged that Dr. Narola spoke to him in an aggressive “tu-taraak” (informal, disrespectful) manner. When the patient objected to this behavior, the doctor allegedly attacked him and started punching him in the face.
The patient’s brother Ramesh Kumar and other family members created a commotion in the hospital premises, demanding the doctor’s dismissal and a public apology. They also alleged that another doctor present at the scene held the patient’s legs during the assault.
Viral video triggers action
As the situation escalated, senior hospital officials managed to take the family members to the IGMC Principal’s room, where a closed-door discussion was held with the administration. Meanwhile, the incident video went viral on social media, prompting swift action.
Shimla SSP Sanjeev Gandhi confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the accused doctor.
Doctor’s version: Patient misbehaved first
Dr. Raghav Narola, the accused doctor, presented a different version of events. He claimed that the patient misbehaved with him first, which led to him losing his temper. “The patient was rude to me first, then I lost my composure. I don’t want to say much more about this,” the doctor stated.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) held a press conference on Tuesday to present Dr. Narola’s side of the story.
RDA defends accused doctor
RDA President Dr. Aman Madaik said that such incidents always have two sides. According to the association, when Dr. Narola requested the patient’s medical records including X-rays and CT scans, the patient became abusive and disrespectful.
“The patient refused to provide records, saying he had already shown them to another doctor. He started using derogatory language and addressed the doctor with insulting words. He also insulted the doctor’s parents,” Dr. Madaik claimed.
The RDA stated that the patient pushed Dr. Narola and hit him on the chest and stomach. “When he tried to defend himself, the patient attacked him with the IV stand. During this, the patient’s companion started recording a video which went viral on social media. But this video was incomplete and showed a distorted version of actual events,” the association alleged.
Dr. Madaik emphasized that resident doctors work for patients’ welfare and repeatedly ask about medical history for proper treatment. “A doctor always cares for the patient,” he said.
Government orders suspension and probe
Health Minister Dhaneram Shandil announced that the accused doctor has been immediately removed from duty. “An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the matter. Action will be taken based on the committee’s report,” the minister stated.
Shandil said that whether an employee is on contract or regular, they must follow rules. “To prevent such incidents in the future, guidelines will be prepared. The government will issue an advisory on how doctors should behave with patients,” he added.
High-power committee formed
IGMC Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Rahul Rao revealed that following the Chief Minister’s directions, a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Malay Sarkar, Head of Chest and TB Department, to investigate the incident.
“Action against the doctor will be taken after the committee’s report. The doctor has been suspended. So far, we have the viral video and statements from the patient and attendants. The doctor’s statement is yet to be recorded,” Dr. Rao said.
He added that medical examinations of both the accused doctor and the patient with attendants have been conducted. “Police are conducting an impartial investigation. RDA officials came to meet the accused, which created some tension for a while,” the MS noted.
The accused doctor has been asked to report to the Medical Education headquarters.
Chopal MLA demands dismissal
Chopal MLA Balbir Singh Verma demanded that the accused doctor be dismissed from service. “Suspension is not enough. The patient’s father is right that the accused doctor should be sent home so that such brutality doesn’t happen with any other patient. The Medical Council of India should cancel the accused doctor’s license,” the MLA stated.
Two sides of a disturbing story
The incident has exposed the deteriorating doctor-patient relationship and raised serious questions about professional conduct and patient safety in healthcare institutions.
Patient’s allegations:
- Doctor spoke disrespectfully in “tu-taraak” manner
- Punched the patient on face when he objected
- Another doctor held patient’s legs during assault
- Patient was lying on bed after medical procedure
Doctor’s counter-allegations:
- Patient refused to share medical records
- Used abusive and derogatory language
- Insulted doctor and his parents
- Physically assaulted doctor first
- Viral video shows incomplete, distorted version
Unanswered questions
Several critical questions remain:
- Who initiated violence? The viral video doesn’t show the beginning of the altercation, making it difficult to establish who was the aggressor.
- Professional conduct: Even if the patient was rude, does that justify a doctor physically assaulting a patient who had just undergone a medical procedure?
- Hospital security: Why was there no security intervention during the altercation?
- Medical ethics: How should doctors handle difficult or aggressive patients without resorting to violence?
- Complete footage: Is there CCTV footage that shows the complete incident from start to finish?
Broader implications
This incident highlights several systemic issues in healthcare:
Patient perspective:
- Patients often feel doctors are dismissive or disrespectful
- Communication gaps lead to frustration
- Vulnerable patients in hospital beds expect compassion, not aggression
Doctor perspective:
- Rising incidents of violence against healthcare workers
- Lack of security in hospitals
- Stress and burnout among resident doctors
- Pressure to handle multiple patients with limited resources
System failures:
- Inadequate training in patient communication
- No de-escalation protocols for tense situations
- Insufficient security presence in hospital wards
- Lack of clear guidelines on handling aggressive patients
Need for systemic reforms
Health Minister Shandil’s announcement of issuing guidelines is a positive step, but experts suggest comprehensive reforms are needed:
- Mandatory training: All medical staff should receive training in communication skills, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques
- Security presence: Adequate security personnel in all hospital wards, especially high-stress areas
- Clear protocols: Established procedures for handling aggressive patients or attendants
- Support systems: Counseling and mental health support for overworked resident doctors
- Accountability mechanisms: Swift investigation and action in cases of misconduct by either party
- CCTV coverage: Complete camera coverage in hospital areas (excluding privacy-sensitive zones) for evidence in disputes
Public reaction
The viral video has sparked intense debate on social media, with opinion divided. Some support the patient, citing medical ethics and the vulnerability of someone lying on a hospital bed. Others argue that the incomplete video doesn’t show the full context and that doctors increasingly face verbal and physical abuse from patients and attendants.
The incident has once again brought attention to the need for better systems to protect both patients’ rights and healthcare workers’ safety.
What happens next
The high-power committee’s investigation will be crucial in determining the facts and appropriate action. Police investigation is ongoing, and both medical and legal aspects will be examined.
For now, the accused doctor remains suspended pending inquiry results. The patient continues treatment at IGMC.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for the healthcare system to address the growing trust deficit between doctors and patients before it escalates further.
