Doctor assaulted at Bidar hospital, medical staff launch protest

A doctor at Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences was allegedly assaulted by a group demanding treatment without medico-legal registration, prompting protests and a strike by medical staff. Police arrested five accused as authorities ordered an inquiry and enhanced hospital security

Bidar (Karnataka): A group of people allegedly assaulted a doctor at the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS) here on late Thursday night, triggering protests by medical staff demanding action against the accused and protection from violent incidents.

Police sources said five people have been arrested in connection with the case. According to police, Tukaram Bhalke was attending patients when some youth reached there to treat a patient Vijay Singh for the fatal injuries he had suffered.

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The mob wanted the doctor to treat him without registering his name. When the doctor insisted on recording his name in the Out Patient Department (OPD) register to treat them as a Medico-Legal Case (MLC), the youth, who were about a dozen in number, assaulted him.

The other staff came to Bhalke’s rescue and tried to persuade the gang but they kept attacking him. Following the incident, the angry doctors went on a strike condemning the incident and seeking the arrest of the accused.

Bhalke has also lodged a complaint at New Town Police Station in Bidar. Condemning the incident, Bidar District In-charge Minister Eshwar Khandre said the assault on doctors by some individuals at BRIMS is unacceptable.

In a statement, he said he has directed officials to conduct an inquiry and take action against those responsible. “No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. Such incidents weaken the morale of doctors,” he said.

The minister, who holds the forest portfolio, instructed the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, initiate strict action against the accused, and take measures to provide enhanced security at the district hospital.