SRN hospital violence: Doctors slam suspension of resident medicos, demand rollback, fair probe

Prayagraj: The medical fraternity has strongly condemned the suspension of all resident doctors from Surgery and Orthopaedics units at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College (MLN medical college), who were on duty when a violent clash broke out between doctors and lawyers over an alleged delay in a patient's treatment on May 20.

While the lawyers have claimed that they were allegedly assaulted by doctors after an argument broke out, the doctors have denied the allegations and have stated that a female resident doctor was brutally attacked and the hospital was vandalised by a mob of lawyers. Following the incident, the medical college authorities formed a three-member inquiry committee and suspended around 20 doctors who were on duty that day.

In response, the doctors have expressed anger and disappointment over the fact that the residents were suspended without being given an opportunity to present their side of the story. They have demanded the immediate rollback of the suspension order, constitution of an independent inquiry committee, adequate security for medical personnel, along with other demands.

An order issued by the Principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, on May 21, 2026, stated that a three-member inquiry committee had already been constituted through office letter No. Camp/2026/3737 dated May 20, 2026, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the incident.

It further stated that until the committee submits its report, all resident doctors who were on duty in the concerned units of the Trauma Centre at that time (Surgery Unit-2 and Orthopaedics Unit-2) have been placed under immediate suspension and relieved from all clinical and academic duties.

"It is noteworthy that, in this regard, a three-member inquiry committee has already been constituted through this office letter No. Camp/2026/3737 dated 20 May 2026 to investigate the facts and circumstances of the incident. Therefore, until the inquiry committee submits its report, all resident doctors who were on duty at the concerned units of the Trauma Centre at that time (Surgery Unit-2 and Orthopaedics Unit-2) are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and relieved from all clinical and academic duties," the order read. 

Also read- Violent clash between doctors and lawyers at Prayagraj's SRN Hospital

During the period of suspension, the concerned resident doctors have been directed to remain physically present in the office of the Chief Medical Superintendent, Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, Prayagraj, on every working day and ensure their attendance.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that services at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital were severely disrupted on May 20 morning after a violent clash broke out between doctors and lawyers over an alleged delay in a patient's treatment.

The incident took place when a female lawyer arrived at the Trauma Centre operating within the premises of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital for treatment. During the course of her initial medical treatment, the patient's attendants/family members alleged that the resident doctors who were on emergency duty at that time behaved inappropriately with them, used abusive language, and assaulted them.

However, the doctor claimed that they were being blamed for the incident. Subsequently, several doctors across the nation and medical associations condemned the incident, demanding strict action against the accused.

Reaction from the medical fraternity

Calling the suspension "illegal", "arbitrary" and "unconstitutional", the Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA), the apex body representing over 50,000 resident doctors across India, alleged that doctors were suspended without being heard and also that no show cause notice was served prior to the suspension order. 

The association further stated that the inquiry committee and the suspension order were issued on the same day, making the "inquiry" a mere formality to justify a decision already taken under pressure.

"The agitation was orchestrated by a fringe group of lawyers for electoral gains in the upcoming Allahabad Bar Council elections; a fact evidenced by the conspicuous absence of support from the broader legal fraternity. Penalising emergency-duty doctors on the basis of unverified social media outrage will irreparably damage the morale of India's medical workforce," FORDA said in a letter to the Principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj. 

Explaining what happened on May 20, FORDA said, "At approximately 06:00 AM, a patient named was brought to the Trauma Centre of SRN Hospital. During primary management, the patient's attendants raised allegations regarding the conduct of the on-duty resident doctors. However, it must be noted that this incident was immediately and maliciously amplified on social media by certain individuals associated with the legal fraternity, with inflammatory posts calling for "gherao" of SRN Hospital, openly threatening to "burn the chambers" of doctors, inciting violence, and even threatening to "break the hands" and "stab" the resident doctors on duty. These posts, which circulated widely under hashtags such as #JusticeForAdvocates and #SwaroopRaniHospital, constitute cognizable criminal offences under the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 503, 506, 504, and 153A."

They have demanded that the immediate revocation of the suspension order, constitution of a truly independent inquiry committee with full opportunity for the doctors to present their case, registration of FIR against all persons who issued public threats of violence against doctors, deployment of adequate security at SRN Hospital and MLNMC campus forthwith and a written assurance that no resident doctor shall face punitive action under mob pressure or during the pendency of any inquiry.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Bhavesh Varandani, National Spokesperson, United Doctors' Front (UDF) made a direct question to the administration. He said, "Is this the precedent you want to set? That whenever an aggressive mob or outside force creates chaos inside a hospital, the doctors who are on duty will automatically be punished just to clear the administrative desk? You cannot demand accountability from residents when you offer them zero safety, zero due process, and absolute vulnerability. Scapegoating junior doctors to buy administrative peace is a mockery of justice. We demand an immediate rollback of these unfair suspensions and a fair, unbiased, transparent inquiry now."

Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, from FAIMA, said, "Disgraceful conduct by the college administration. Instead of standing firmly with their own doctors, the leadership chose silence, fear, and surrender. An institution that cannot protect its healthcare workers during difficult times fails its very purpose. As per DGHS guidelines, an institutional FIR should be lodged within 6 hours in cases involving violence against healthcare workers yet instead of protecting their own doctors the administration turned against them."

Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of Indian Medical Association - Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) in a post on X said, "Motilal Nehru medical college in Prayagraj has set a world class example by suspending all the resident doctors of 2 units of Surgery and Ortho department. But what was their achievement? It was protecting their dignity and trying to save female doctors who were getting assaulted by the Mob of attendants and demanding their right to security. The principal of the college should also be ashamed for showing spineless decision against their own hospital doctors out of fear (we all have heard your stammering voice in the audio clip with the lawyer)." He further urged the CM Yogi to take cognizance of the matter. 

Democratic Medical Association (DMA), National Head and President, Dr Amit Vyas said, "Suspending 20 resident doctors before the completion of a fair and impartial inquiry appears unjust. Doctors do not treat patients based on profession, status, or influence. In emergency settings, treatment is provided strictly according to medical triage and clinical urgency, ensuring that the most critical patients receive immediate attention first. Every patient’s life carries equal value. It is also important to recognize that resident doctors across the country, not just at MLN Medical College, are routinely working 70–80+ hours per week, despite the Central Residency Scheme (1992) stipulating a much lower workload. They continue to serve under immense pressure and challenging conditions to ensure patient care. The suspension must be revoked. Otherwise, resident doctors across the country may be compelled to unite and collectively raise their voice against this injustice and for the dignity of the medical profession."

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