Road rage case: KGMU Urologist alleges assault, robbery; police action questioned

Lucknow: In a shocking incident, a senior faculty member of the Department of Urology at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, was allegedly assaulted and robbed during a road rage incident, triggering outrage among the medical fraternity and raising questions over the handling of the case by the Ashiana police. 

According to the news reports, doctors have alleged that despite being the victim, the injured doctor was booked by the police while his complaint was not immediately registered. They accused the police of acting on a complaint filed by the other party, an advocate practising at the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, while ignoring the doctor's version of events.

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Ashiana police, however, denied allegations of bias and said the matter was being investigated on merit. “The other party produced evidence, and their vehicle was found damaged. The doctor’s side did not come to the police station when called on the day of the incident. We have received a complaint from the doctor’s side, and a cross FIR will be lodged only on the basis of evidence,” said Chhatrapal Singh, SHO, Ashiana, reports Hindustan Times.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abhay Pratap Mall said that police were acting independently. He stated that they were not under any pressure and added that Ashiana police had been directed to investigate the matter fairly based on facts and evidence.

A city-based doctor alleged that it was unfortunate that a senior KGMU faculty member was thrashed in a road rage incident and his valuable assets were snatched. He further said that the other side had lodged an FIR and gone home, while they were still struggling to get a cross FIR registered.

He added, “The injured doctor was brought to his own institution, KGMU, where he serves as a senior surgeon. Shockingly, he lay on a stretcher for hours with only oxygen support and no other medication. Hours have passed since the incident, yet neither the institution nor any association of the university has taken any steps to ensure an FIR is registered against the culprits, ” according to Hindustan Times.

According to a complaint filed by the injured doctor, their vehicle was allegedly hit by a Swift car during a traffic jam near BBAU. An argument reportedly ensued, following which the occupants of the other vehicle assaulted the doctor, attempted to snatch his purse, and forcibly removed a gold chain from his neck, causing injuries.

The family alleged that despite approaching both the BBA police outpost and the Ashiana police station, no FIR was registered. The doctor was initially treated at Rajdhani Hospital before being referred to KGMU for further medical care.

Meanwhile, the advocate lodged an FIR at the Ashiana police station alleging that occupants of a Baleno car assaulted him, throttled him, and snatched his gold chain after a collision near BBAU. He further alleged that another vehicle carrying five individuals later chased him, threatened him with weapons, and damaged his car. Based on his complaint, the police registered a case against unidentified persons and launched an investigation.

The controversy intensified after the KGMU Teachers' Association wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), demanding immediate registration of an FIR based on the complaint filed by the doctor. The association expressed concern over the registration of an FIR against the doctor while his own complaint remained pending.

Terming attacks on doctors "highly condemnable," the association sought security for the doctor and his family and warned that the incident had caused widespread anger and resentment among KGMU faculty members. It urged authorities to ensure a fair investigation and swift justice so that patient care at the state's premier medical institution remains unaffected.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr Manoj Kumar Asthana demanded registration of an FIR under appropriate sections and strict action in connection with the alleged assault, robbery and misconduct, reports TOI.

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