Doctor allegedly slaps, drags 70-year-old man at MP Hospital, sacked after video goes viral

Chhatarpur: A 70-year-old man was allegedly dragged and slapped by a doctor at the district hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur. A video of the incident went viral on social media, following which an FIR was registered and the doctor was terminated from service. 

The incident took place on April 17 when Uddhav Singh Joshi (70), a resident of Naugaon town, had come to the district hospital in Chhatarpur for his wife's medical check-up.

"I remained in the queue for a long time after getting the time slot slip. When my turn came, Dr Rajesh Mishra objected and then slapped and kicked me," Joshi alleged while speaking to reporters, news agency PTI reported.

As per a media report in NDTV, Mr Joshi told reporters, "The doctor kicked me and dragged me to the chowki. He slapped me and broke my glasses. He also tore my slip and threatened to kill me. My wife was also assaulted".

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Refuting his charges, civil surgeon GL Ahirwar said the place was overcrowded and Dr Mishra objected because Joshi had broken the queue.

In the viral video, two men can be seen holding the hands of Joshi and dragging him.

The health department has issued a notice to Mishra seeking a reply in 24 hours, while a 'zero FIR' was registered against him at Naugaon police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 115(2), 296, 3(5), 351(3), an official said.

The FIR has been transferred to Chhattarpur's Kotwali police station, he added.

Speaking to NDTV, Dr GL Ahirwar, civil surgeon at the hospital, admitted that the incident occurred at the hospital two days ago.

"Initially, the doctor claimed the patient behaved indecently. However, the video clearly shows unacceptable and shameful conduct by the doctor. We immediately ordered a departmental inquiry. A notice has been issued, and inquiry committee members are on their way," said Dr Ahirwar.

In another development, collector Parth Jaiswal issued a show-cause notice to Dr Ahirwar for ignoring his directives regarding submitting a report about the incident.

"Dr Ahirwar has been directed to submit a reply within 24 hours. The collector had constituted a three-member probe committee under the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), which has submitted its report. On the basis of this report, Jaiswal recommended action against the doctor to the health department authorities," the official said.

"Following the collector's recommendation, National Health Mission director Saloni Sidana served a notice to Dr Rajesh Mishra, who is a contract doctor of orthopaedics. He must furnish a reply in 24 hours. Collector Jaiswal also recommended termination of State Red Cross Society employee Rajendra Khare in connection with the incident," the official added.

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