Rising Violence Against Doctors: Delhi reports 149 attacks in last 5 years
New Delhi: The national capital has seen a rising trend in attacks on doctors and medical staff over the past five years, with a total of 149 incidents of violence and assault reported at both government and private hospitals between 2021 and 2025, according to official data tabled in the Delhi Assembly.
The data reveals that 2024 recorded the highest number of incidents at 49 cases, followed closely by 48 cases in 2025. This was preceded by 24 cases in 2023, while 2021 and 2022 reported the lowest figures with 14 cases each.
The information was shared by the Delhi Government in response to a question during the Winter Session of the Assembly.
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According to details provided by government hospitals and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), hospital administrations themselves lodged police complaints leading to institutional FIRs in 33 cases, news agency PTI reported.
The government said it has taken a series of measures to ensure the safety of doctors and medical institutions, including the formation of security committees in hospitals, deployment of security guards, installation of CCTV cameras, and the presence of Delhi Police personnel in emergency departments.
Helpline numbers have been issued to deal with such incidents, and information related to relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been displayed at various locations within hospital premises. Regular police patrolling has also been ensured, it said.
However, the government clarified that there is no proposal under consideration at present to set up a special cell to ensure stricter action against offenders or speedy justice in cases involving violence against healthcare workers, reports PTI.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that amid the doctors' long-pending demands for a Central Protection Act to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and doctors, MP Fauzia Khan recently tabled a private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha titled The Central Protection of Healthcare Workers and Medical Establishments from Violence Bill, 2025. The Bill proposes strict penalties for offences, including imprisonment ranging from six months to ten years and fines that may extend up to ₹10 lakh, depending on the severity of violence.
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