Brutal assault on Delhi doctor: Doctors' bodies demand justice, security reforms

New Delhi: Several doctors and prominent medical bodies have come together to demand immediate intervention and justice following the brutal assault of a second-year female DNB resident doctor from the gynaecology department at Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College & Hospital (BSA), Rohini, Delhi, on June 9. 

In statements and representations sent to central and state authorities, the associations have called for the prompt release of CCTV footage to ensure transparency, FIR registration under relevant legal provisions for physical assault, attempted strangulation, and attack on a public servant, and arrests and chargesheets against all accused without delay. 

A dedicated security measures which include 24×7 trained personnel, regular police patrols, real-time CCTV, and a national helpline for healthcare workers and Gender-sensitive protocols and zero-tolerance policies in all government hospitals, especially in emergency areas and hostels and activation of the National Task Force for hospital security. 

Also read- DNB Gynaecology medico brutally attacked by patient kin at BSA Hospital Delhi

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a second-year female DNB resident doctor from the gynaecology department of the Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, was allegedly brutally assaulted and harassed openly in broad daylight by the attendants of an infant patient. During the attack, the assailants reportedly tore her clothes and strangled her with her stethoscope inside the ward in front of staff and patients, leaving scratches on her body. 

The attack was carried out by five female attendants of a patient following the demise of a critically ill newborn who had been under intensive care and ventilator support. The doctor was physically assaulted while she was moving from the OPD to resume her ward duties. No guards intervened during the attack to protect her from the attackers.

What each association said-

Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA)

FAIMA’s chief patron and leaders will visit BSA Hospital on 12 June at 1 PM to meet the college dean, director, resident doctors, and the victim. The purpose is to show solidarity, assess the situation firsthand, and ensure resident doctors’ safety concerns are addressed. FAIMA pledged to continue peaceful awareness campaigns until full justice is delivered.

Addressing a letter to Delhi’s Chief Minister, FAIMA described how the doctor was nearly strangled with her stethoscope, her clothes torn, and nail marks visible. They highlighted delays in police response, denial of CCTV access, and the hospital’s failure to suspend or charge perpetrators. 

Referencing this incident to that of brutal rape and murder of a PG doctor at RG Kar Hospital in 2024, the association said, "This was almost a repeat telecast of what happened in RGKAR on 9th August 2024, almost one year to the tragedy and still same things are happening, more shockingly in the national capital. This is not an isolated incident. It represents a grim pattern of increasing assaults on healthcare workers in the national capital. Despite prior assurances and policy discussions, doctors continue to work in an environment of fear, without adequate security, and with little to no accountability from administrative bodies."

Indian Medical Association – Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA JDN)

IMA JDN detailed that five attendants attacked the OB-Gyn resident after losing a newborn under their care. Eyewitnesses confirmed that she was dragged by her hair, strangled with a stethoscope, and suffered multiple injuries. Though an FIR was filed and arrests were made, the accused were granted bail. In response to the incident, IMA JDN Delhi declared 11 June a “Black Day”, asking doctors across the country to wear black ribbons in protest.

The association further appealed to the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to promote respectful doctor-patient communication and educate the people about the legal consequences of hospital violence along with other demands. 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Karan Juneja, the National Convenor of IMA-JDN, said, "This is a very unfortunate incident. We demand justice for her and call on the government to take immediate action.”

Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), BSA Medical College & Hospital

The RDA recounted how the on-duty constable refused to make the Emergency call to the nearby police station, and asked the victim to call the emergency helpline number herself, tried to threaten the victim by claiming that the culprits want to make a counter FIR against her, forced the victim to travel to a distant station, and altered her statement. 

"The police failed to produce the culprits in front of the Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, so the culprits walk free today. The police failed to submit the file for recording of the victim's statement in front of the Magistrate on time, for which the female resident doctor had to wait in court for two hours only to be refused for a later date. The Magistrate clearly mentioned in its refusal to record the statement today due to the delay by the police. The investigating officer even asked us to come to the court again tomorrow at 3:30 PM, with no assurance that the statement would be recorded," said the association in their statement. 

In response, RDA  suspended their OPD services from 10 AM the next day if the chargesheets are not filed immediately. They called on all resident and nursing associations to unite in a peaceful protest against systemic repression of doctors’ rights. 

Doctors Welfare Federation (DWF)

The Doctors Welfare Federation–India (DWF) issued a powerful joint statement condemning the attack as "direct and grave assault on the entire healthcare system and women’s safety," and demanded immediate, transparent action. 

"We will continue to run a peaceful and democratic public awareness campaign with the support of all Resident Doctors Associations, national platforms, unions, student groups, and other collectives. We urge the Government of India and the administration to take this matter seriously and take the strictest possible action against the culprits and ensure justice for the survivor," the association concluded. 

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