On-duty Resident doctor Locked Up After Scuffle with Colleague, Doctors Allege Illegal Detention

Srinagar: In a shocking turn of events, an on-duty anaesthesia resident doctor of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu was reportedly detained and held in police custody for three hours after a small scuffle with his colleague.

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of GMC Jammu has strongly condemned the alleged illegal detention and misconduct by the police calling it a breach of protocol and violation of the resident's rights.

According to the association, the doctor, who was on emergency 24-hour duty on March 17 was wrongfully detained by the in-charge of the Police Post GMC Jammu without any prior information and not following standard protocol. Even though the doctor identified himself as a resident doctor who was on duty in the ICU, the police reportedly captured and held him in their custody for hours.

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Sources from RDA GMC Jammu told Medical Dialogues that the resident doctor was a first-year PG student who lacked experience in the medical field and had only started his duty recently. Taking him to police custody illegally without following proper protocol has ultimately led him into a state of depression.

"It is very important to sensitize the conduct of police with health care workers...especially those who are on duty...they should't be treated like history sheeters," said an RDA member wishing to remain anonymous.

The association further alleged that the Sub-Inspector (SI) in charge misbehaved with senior postgraduate doctors who had gone to inquire about the incident. The RDA described the behaviour as a serious violation of established protocols meant to protect medical professionals, especially those serving patients during critical hours.

In a letter issued in this regard, the association has called for a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the facts and demanded immediate disciplinary action against the police officer responsible for the misconduct. Further, they also demanded reinforcement of protocols to safeguard medical professionals from unlawful harassment while on duty.

"Despite being on official duty and clearly identifying himself as a resident doctor, our colleague was wrongfully held in police custody for several hours without justification. Even the SI (Incharge) misbehaved in a rude manner with the senior PGs who went to enquire about the same. Such conduct is a grave violation of established protocols protecting medical professionals, particularly those diligently serving patients. This incident has not only caused severe mental distress to the concerned resident but has also instilled fear in the entire medical community at GMC Jammu. It is alarming that a doctor dedicated to saving lives was subjected to such humiliation and harassment," reads the letter.

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