IGMC Shimla Viral Video Controversy: What sparked patient-doctor clash

The doctor stated that the patient became abusive and non-cooperative, used derogatory and obscene language, and then physically assaulted him by punching and kicking him. He further alleged that the patient attempted to attack him again and issued death threats during the altercation.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a clash broke out between the doctor and the patient when the patient asked the doctor to speak politely. The patient alleged that the doctor misbehaved and addressed him disrespectfully by calling him 'tu'. When the patient protested, the doctor reportedly assaulted him.

Also read- IGMC Shimla: Pulmonary Medicine doctor suspended after viral video shows him punching a patient

However, the doctor, who hails from Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district, denied the allegations, claiming that the patient misbehaved with him first, which led to the incident. The doctor alleged that he had not used wrong words or tone, nor did he raise his volume.

The incident took place when the patient, suffering from pulmonary issues, visited the hospital for a bronchoscopy. Following the test, he started to feel shortness of breath and was advised by the hospital staff to rest. After this, he went to the pulmonary medicine ward and laid down on a vacant bed to take rest. At that time, an argument erupted between them. 

Clarifying his side before the public, the doctor told NDTV that the 10-second video clip, which went viral, does not show what happened before or after the incident. He stated that the patient abused him and also physically assaulted him first by punching and kicking him. He further alleged that the patient attempted to attack him again and issued death threats during the altercation when he tried to defend himself.

He said the patient had come to the ward, and he was reviewing the patient’s old X-rays and scans as per protocol. When the patient looked familiar, he remarked, “Tu dekha dekha lag raha hai (I think I have seen you somewhere).”

He claimed the patient lost his temper over being addressed as “tu”. Despite clarifying that he did not intend any disrespect in his words or tone, the patient allegedly became more aggressive, along with the accompanying person, and both began using abusive language.

Meanwhile, the patient claimed that two doctors approached him and started to misbehave with him, after which he urged them to be respectful. He claimed that this agitated the doctor, who went on to assault him.

"I was feeling breathless and was lying on an empty bed requesting a nurse for oxygen, when the doctor came and started asking for reports and misbehaved and lost his cool in 30 seconds. I am not satisfied with the suspension; the doctor should be terminated," the patient told PTI. 

Describing the incident in more detail, the patient said, "Dr *** came and started asking me about my medical reports. He called me 'tu'. When I asked him if he speaks with his family members the same way, the doctor started beating me."

Following the incident, the hospital authorities suspended the doctor, and the patient's family registered an FIR against him in connection with the case. After the circulation of the video on Monday, Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu ordered an inquiry into the incident and asked the committee to complete the probe by December 24. 

RDA extends support

The Resident Doctors' Welfare Association (RDA) has come out in his defence, stating that the incident has multiple aspects and the viral video reflects only one side of the story.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Sohil Sharma, President, Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), said that any incident has “two sides” and that the association has formally written to both the Medical Superintendent and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), raising concerns about regulations and due process.

Dr Sharma said, "The incident that occurred is unfortunate and condemnable. But every incident has two aspects. Dr ***, our senior resident in Pulmonary Medicine, was performing his duties. We want to place his complete version before you."

He said that Dr *** was on duty in the pulmonary medicine ward and that the patient had been kept under observation. He added that the viral video circulating on social media shows only one side, where the doctor is seen raising his hand, without explaining the circumstances that led to the situation.

“Our doctors work for patients, examine them, provide treatment, and take detailed histories repeatedly. This concern is always there. The statement given by Dr *** has been forwarded to the college authorities and SAMDCOT,” Dr Sharma said.

The doctor's written complaint was submitted to the Medical Superintendent and SAMDCOT. The RDA read out his version of events.

In his statement, Dr *** wrote, “I respectfully submit that I am a doctor and on December 22, at around 12:00 noon, I was performing my government duty. During this time, a patient named Arjun Kumar was admitted to the hospital.”

He stated that, as per hospital protocol, he requested the patient’s medical records, investigation reports, and X-ray films.

“The patient started behaving in an abusive, insulting, and non-cooperative manner and refused, stating that he had already shown these documents to a ‘senior doctor’. He began addressing me with derogatory words,” Dr *** wrote.

According to his statement, the situation escalated, and the patient allegedly abused him and his family using obscene language.

“In the same sequence, he suddenly attacked me, punched me on my chest and kicked me on my abdomen. When I tried to defend myself, he attempted to assault me further and threatened to kill me,” the statement read.

Dr. *** further alleged that the patient’s companion recorded a video of the incident, which later went viral on social media. “The viral video is incomplete and distorted and does not reflect the actual sequence of events,” he said.

He alleged that the patient not only assaulted him but also obstructed him in performing his duties as a public servant and later called acquaintances who threatened him with dire consequences.

“I humbly request that strict legal action be taken in this matter so that such incidents do not recur with any doctor or public servant in the future,” He wrote.

After reading the statement, Dr. Sohil Sharma said the RDA wanted to place the “other side” of the incident before the media.

He alleged that following the incident, “100 to 200 people gathered, and the doctors on duty were confined inside a room, which amounted to mental harassment.” He demanded swift action.

Dr Aadarsh Sharma, Joint Secretary, RDA, and Press Secretary Archit Sharma, said the incident was a clash. Despite the large crowd, medical-legal examinations of both parties were conducted in the presence of police and the public.

Archit Sharma said, “Until the impartial investigation reaches its conclusion, this video will also be challenged legally. Media trials based on incomplete videos should be avoided.”

He added that doctors' mental health should also be considered and urged patience until the investigation report is made public.

Dr Vaishali Sharma, Joint Secretary, RDA, defended the doctor on procedural grounds, noting that following established medical protocols and reviewing past records are routine. Doctors have also demanded the installation of CCTV in all wards, including the observation areas.

She said, “After examining all investigation aspects and past reports, the full procedure must be followed. There should be security guards in the wards. Should there not be a safe environment in our hospital, even for procedures like bronchoscopy?”

She questioned the origin and continuity of the viral video and said, “This is not just a job, it is our profession. We want a clear, impartial investigation where both sides are heard.”

The Resident Doctors’ Association reiterated its demand for a fair, unbiased, and transparent inquiry, urging authorities and the media to refrain from concluding until the investigation is completed.

Meanwhile, Satyam Singh Rajpoot, Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, has promised unconditional legal support to the doctor.

In a post on X, he said that he stands firmly with the doctors of IGMC Shimla. He stated that registering FIRs based on partial videos and one-sided narratives is unfair and demoralising for those saving lives under extreme pressure. He strongly condemned this hasty legal action and offered his unconditional legal support to them. 

Once a Hero, Now Villain?

According to a media report by News18, the doctor was once hailed as hero in 2023 for personally escorting a poor patient to a higher centre and saving her life. However, today the doctor is facing allegations of assaulting a patient. 

In October 2023, the doctor, while posted at Nahan Medical College, had received widespread appreciation for personally accompanying a critically ill 22-year-old asthma patient from Sirmaur district to PGI Chandigarh in an ambulance, even though it was not required under standard referral rules. He was then widely regarded as a dedicated and compassionate doctor.

Doctors across the country have come out in support of the doctor who is currently at the centre of the controversy, as he faces allegations while maintaining his dignity before the media and the public.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDA) said, "It is clearly visible that the attack is done from both sides, the patient too is kicking the doctor while the doctor is also retaliating. So why only action against doctor just because he is soft target? And is not a vote bank? Why not both sides of the story are shown? There has to be a proper enquiry before any action is taken, but here nothing was done which is proper misuse of power."

Similarly, Dr Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), shared his opinion on social media platform 'X'.

He said, "Deeply disturbed by the violent attack on a Resident Doctor in the Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine at IGMC Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Doctors saving lives cannot be beaten by mobs. Zero tolerance to violence against healthcare workers. Immediate & strict action must follow. FIR and arrests must be made public in the IGMC Shimla doctor assault case. Hospitals cannot function under mob pressure. FAIMA demands immediate security reinforcement, administrative accountability, and strict implementation of laws protecting healthcare workers."

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