Full Breakdown
Doctor Suspended After Assaulting Patient in Shimla Hospital
12/25/2025, 4:05:56 AM
Incident Overview
A significant incident occurred at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, India, where Senior Resident Dr. Raghav Narula was suspended following the release of a video showing him repeatedly punching a patient, Arjun Panwar, 36. The altercation took place on December 22, 2025, after Panwar, who was admitted for breathing difficulties, requested to be spoken to with respect. The confrontation escalated after Dr. Narula addressed Panwar using the informal Hindi term "tu," which the patient found disrespectful.
Background of the Incident
Arjun Panwar had undergone a bronchoscopy and was resting in the pulmonary medicine ward when the incident occurred. According to Panwar, the doctor's rude demeanor prompted him to ask for a more respectful tone. This request led to a heated exchange, culminating in physical violence captured on video, where Panwar attempted to shield himself from the punches.
Official Responses
Following the incident, Panwar filed a police report alleging assault. The IGMC administration confirmed Dr. Narula's suspension pending an inquiry, with Medical Superintendent Rahul Rao stating that a preliminary investigation found the doctor guilty. The state’s Health Minister has also requested a comprehensive report on the matter. Shimla police are currently investigating the incident, reviewing medical records and video evidence.
Conflicting Accounts
Dr. Narula has denied the allegations, claiming he acted in self-defense after being verbally attacked by Panwar. He stated that the patient initiated the confrontation and used abusive language, including insults directed at his family. The Resident Doctors’ Association of IGMC has supported Dr. Narula, asserting that the patient misbehaved and calling for an impartial investigation. Narula emphasized that the viral video only captures a brief moment of the altercation, not the events leading up to it.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked significant unrest at IGMC, with Panwar's relatives and other patients protesting outside the hospital, demanding the doctor's arrest. Police were deployed to maintain order amid rising tensions. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has directed the formation of a three-member probe committee to investigate the incident thoroughly.
What's Next
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to take further action based on the findings. The role of the second medical staff member seen in the video is also under scrutiny. Both the police and hospital administration are committed to ensuring a fair inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the altercation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I did not intend to assault the patient. The patient behaved rudely with me first. I will put my side before the police.” — Dr. Raghav Narula
- “The Senior Resident, Dr. Raghav Narula, has been suspended till further orders. He was found guilty in the preliminary probe,” — Rahul Rao, IGMC Medical Superintendent
- “You are witnessing 10–15 seconds of the conflict, but the disagreement began five to 10 minutes earlier and continued for nearly 10 hours after that,” — Dr. Raghav Narula
This incident highlights the complexities of patient-doctor interactions and the potential for conflict in high-stress medical environments.
