A disturbing incident at a leading Indian hospital has sparked outrage after video footage emerged showing a doctor physically assaulting a patient who had asked to be spoken to with respect.
The Violent Confrontation in Shimla
The altercation took place on Monday at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, located in northern India. The victim, Arjun Panwar, had visited the hospital for medical tests. After experiencing severe breathing difficulties, he laid down on a bed in another ward to recover.
According to Mr Panwar, the encounter turned hostile when a doctor began addressing him in a rude and aggressive tone without any provocation. "I had just undergone a bronchoscopy and was struggling to breathe. When I asked for oxygen, the doctor questioned my admission status," the patient stated.
Mr Panwar explained that he protested the behaviour, requesting that the doctor speak to him respectfully. "I requested that he speak to me with respect, but he became confrontational," he said. "When I asked if he spoke to his family in such a manner, he claimed I was getting 'personal' and began hitting me."
Video Evidence and Public Outcry
The video of the assault quickly gained traction online. In the widely circulated footage, the doctor can be seen repeatedly throwing punches at Mr Panwar as the patient, visibly weak, attempts to shield himself from the blows.
Following the incident, a large and angry crowd gathered at the hospital, demanding immediate action against the accused doctor. The public fury forced the hospital administration to respond swiftly to the clear breach of medical ethics and patient safety.
Official Investigation Launched
In response to the scandal, the Shimla IGMC hospital administration has set up a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. Dr Rahul Rao, the Medical Superintendent of IGMC Shimla, confirmed the committee is investigating and will submit its report imminently.
Dr Rao also confirmed that a police report has been filed against the doctor, opening the possibility of criminal proceedings alongside the internal disciplinary process.
This is not an isolated case of unprofessional conduct in Indian healthcare. The incident echoes a 2017 scandal in Jodhpur where two doctors, obstetrician Dr Ashok Nainiwal and anaesthetist Dr Murari Lal Tak, were filmed hurling abuse at each other during an emergency Caesarean section at Umaid Hospital. That argument, which occurred while the patient was unconscious, forced staff to stand by idly. Tragically, the woman lost her baby soon afterwards due to severe birth asphyxia.
The latest assault in Shimla raises serious and ongoing questions about patient dignity, professional conduct, and accountability within sections of India's medical system.
