Viral video of doctor-patient fight at Shimla hospital: Read what happened and how being called ‘Tu’ triggered a scuffle

Physical clash between doctor and patient inside the ward (Image via X)

A day after a fight that broke out on 22nd December inside a ward at Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College, the doctor involved in the fight stated on 23rd December that he did not speak rudely or use an improper tone. The issue arose over the use of the word “tu,” which is an informal way of addressing someone.

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Dr Raghav Narula, a senior resident at the hospital, said that patient Arjun Panwar had come to the ward, and he was checking his old X-rays and scan reports as part of a routine procedure. According to Narula, when the patient looked familiar, he casually said, “Tu dekha dekha lag raha hai.” He said Panwar became angry over being addressed as “tu”.

Narula said he tried to explain that he had not used any wrong words, tone, or raised his voice. Still, the situation worsened as the patient and the person accompanying him also became angry and started using abusive language.

The doctor also said that the short video clip, which went viral on social media, shows only a small part of the incident and does not show what happened before or after it. The viral clip shows Narula hitting Panwar while the patient is seen lying on the bed and trying to shield himself.

Earlier on Monday, 22nd December, Panwar had shared his version of the incident, saying that he had gone to the hospital due to breathing problems. He said that he had recently undergone a bronchoscopy and was struggling to breathe.

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According to him, when he asked for oxygen, the doctor questioned his admission status. Panwar said he requested the doctor to speak respectfully, but the doctor responded by saying, “tu” and became confrontational. He further claimed that the situation turned physical during the argument.

The Resident Doctors’ Association of IGMC came out in support of Narula on Tuesday, 23rd December. The association said that the patient misbehaved and used abusive language against the doctor and his family when asked about his medical documents. The association also said that the patient started the fight by kicking the doctor and demanded a fair and unbiased enquiry into the incident. Narula, meanwhile, stated that the patient and his relatives threatened to kill him.

Following the incident, relatives, friends, and other patients gathered at the hospital and staged a protest, demanding action against the doctor. Due to rising tension, the authorities sought help from the police to control the situation.

The Shimla Police has registered an FIR against the doctor. Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said that all sides of the case are being examined, including medical records and electronic evidence such as video footage. He added that strict action will be taken as per the law based on the outcome of the investigation.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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