A case involving the alleged assault of a patient by a doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla has led to administrative action, police investigation, and protests after a video circulated on social media earlier this week.

The video shows a senior resident doctor striking a patient who was lying on a hospital bed inside a ward at IGMC Shimla. The incident reportedly occurred after the patient underwent a bronchoscopy procedure. Hospital authorities confirmed that the video triggered an internal inquiry and police action soon after it surfaced online.

According to police officials and hospital sources cited by national media, the confrontation escalated after the doctor allegedly addressed the patient using the informal Hindi pronoun “tu,” a form of address commonly perceived as disrespectful, particularly in professional or clinical settings. Pawar is said to have objected to this manner of communication, which reportedly triggered a heated verbal exchange.

Officials have stated that the exact sequence of events and the nature of the disagreement are under investigation and will be assessed as part of the inquiry.

IGMC Shimla identified the doctor seen in the viral video as Dr. Raghav Luthra, a senior resident. The hospital administration suspended him with immediate effect on 24 December 2025, pending inquiry.

Subsequent developments confirmed that Dr. Raghav Narula, also a senior resident in the pulmonary medicine department, was named in the case after a counter complaint was filed. Police later added him as a co accused in the first information report based on statements recorded during the investigation.

Shimla police registered an FIR after the video circulated widely on social media on 24 December 2025. The Himachal Pradesh government ordered a departmental inquiry to examine the circumstances leading to the incident.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed officials to complete the inquiry within 24 hours. The state Health Minister stated that such conduct was unacceptable in a healthcare setting and that strict action would follow based on inquiry findings.

The doctors involved submitted a counter complaint alleging provocation and aggressive behavior by the patient and his attendants. Police confirmed that complaints from both sides are under examination and investigators are reviewing video footage, witness statements, and medical records.

Authorities stated that the investigation remains ongoing and conclusions will be drawn only after reviewing all available evidence.

In media interactions following his suspension, Dr. Raghav Luthra said the incident occurred after repeated arguments and alleged verbal abuse by the patient’s attendants. He stated that he did not regret his actions and claimed the situation escalated beyond control.

Officials clarified that these statements form part of the investigation record and do not represent official findings.

The patient’s family demanded strict action, including termination of the doctor involved. They alleged medical misconduct and stated that violence inside a hospital compromises patient safety.

Protests were reported outside IGMC Shimla, with family members and local groups calling for accountability and a transparent inquiry.

The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers issued a statement seeking a fair and unbiased probe. The association emphasized workplace safety for healthcare workers and urged authorities to consider hospital working conditions and institutional protocols.

At the same time, the association stated that violence in hospitals is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Later on 24 December 2025, following review of the preliminary inquiry findings and the police FIR, the Himachal Pradesh government removed Dr. Raghav Narula from his post. The order was issued by the Directorate of Medical Education, citing the seriousness of the incident captured on video.

Officials said the decision formed part of immediate administrative action taken in response to the assault, which drew widespread attention after footage emerged from inside a hospital ward.

The patient involved in the case later welcomed the decision, stating that such action could reinforce professional accountability in healthcare settings.

This development followed earlier steps including suspension, FIR registration, and completion of a preliminary departmental inquiry.

On 25 December 2025, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla announced that doctors would observe a one day mass casual leave on 26 December 2025 to protest the termination of senior resident Dr. Raghav Narula in connection with the IGMC Shimla doctor–patient assault case. The announcement followed a joint meeting of the RDA, the Central Students’ Association (CSA), and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT).

The RDA stated that the termination was unjustified and demanded reinstatement. The association also warned that if its demands were not addressed, an indefinite strike would begin from 9:30 am on 27 December 2025. According to the associations, routine services, outpatient departments, and elective procedures would be suspended during such a strike, while emergency services would continue.

The Himachal Medical Officers’ Association (HMOA) announced support for the protest and said its members would participate in the mass casual leave across government health institutions in the state.

The associations also raised concerns over alleged threats to the safety of doctors and reported incidents of intimidation on the IGMC campus following the assault. They demanded registration of an FIR in this regard and called for stricter action against those responsible for disturbances inside the hospital. They also sought a comprehensive review of hospital security arrangements.

Responding to the announcement, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu defended the government’s decision to terminate Dr. Narula. He said the government believes in dialogue and discussion but added that there is no place for threats in a democratic system. He stated that the doctor was removed from service after an inquiry held him responsible for assaulting a patient and described the act as unjustifiable regardless of circumstances.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to review hospital security measures, including regulating the number of attendants allowed with patients and ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. He highlighted steps taken by the state government to improve working conditions for doctors, including changes in duty schedules and revision of stipends.

State health department officials said essential and emergency medical services would continue during the mass casual leave on 26 December 2025.

This update reflects the situation as of the morning of 26 December 2025 and will be revised as further verified information becomes available.

On 26 December 2025 afternoon, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured resident doctors in Himachal Pradesh that a fresh inquiry will be conducted into the IGMC Shimla doctor–patient assault case following protests over the termination of senior resident Dr. Raghav Narula. The assurance came during a meeting between the Chief Minister and leaders of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA).

RDA president Dr. Sohil Sharma told media that the Chief Minister agreed to re-investigate the case and consider all evidence presented by the doctors’ representatives. The fresh probe is intended to address concerns raised by doctors about the administrative action taken after the initial inquiry.

The mass casual leave announced for 26 December 2025 was scheduled to continue as planned, and doctors said they would decide on subsequent protest measures, including the possibility of an indefinite strike starting from 27 December 2025 at 9:30 am, based on outcomes of the fresh inquiry.

Doctors had protested Narula’s termination, arguing that the initial disciplinary process did not fairly represent their side of events and that security concerns for healthcare workers at IGMC needed urgent review. The Chief Minister also acknowledged concerns raised about safety guidelines for doctors and stated that measures would be strengthened as part of the fresh probe.

Resident doctors across Himachal Pradesh, including those at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, announced that they will begin an indefinite strike from 9:30 am on 27 December 2025 if their demands are not addressed. The announcement came after the one day mass casual leave observed on 26 December 2025 to protest the termination of senior resident Dr. Raghav Narula in connection with the IGMC doctor–patient assault case.

The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), represented by RDA president Dr. Sohil Sharma, reiterated that emergency services would continue during the strike, but routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs), and elective operation theatres would be suspended if the protest escalates. The RDA made the announcement after a Thursday meeting with government representatives and said it would first seek dialogue with the state government before commencing the strike.

In addition to demanding the revocation of Dr. Narula’s termination, the doctors also called for accountability for security lapses at IGMC Shimla and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against individuals alleged to have threatened the doctor and damaged hospital property. They highlighted concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals at the hospital and said a comprehensive review of CCTV coverage and security measures was necessary.

On 27 December 2025 at 9:30 am, resident doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, along with doctors from other government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh, began an indefinite strike in protest against the termination of senior resident Dr. Raghav Narula. The strike follows the one day mass casual leave observed on 26 December 2025 after talks with the state government over demands including reinstatement and improved security for healthcare professionals.

The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of IGMC Shimla called the strike to press for the revocation of the termination order against Dr. Narula and highlighted concerns about alleged security lapses on hospital premises and the handling of the disciplinary process. The Himachal Medical Officers’ Association (HMOA) and resident doctors’ associations from other medical colleges also supported the action.

During the strike, routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs), and elective surgeries were suspended at many government hospitals across the state, while emergency services continued to operate. The disruption affected regular healthcare delivery and led to significant delays for patients seeking non-emergency care.

In Shimla, the RDA leadership reiterated that their primary demand remains the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Narula, whom they contend was terminated without a fair and impartial process. They also expressed concerns over the broader implications for medical professionals if disciplinary actions were perceived to be swift and without adequate representation.

Resident doctors across Himachal Pradesh continued their indefinite strike on 27 December 2025 and beyond, affecting routine medical services in government hospitals statewide. The protest was called by the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) after talks with the state government did not lead to immediate resolution of demands following the termination of Dr. Raghav Narula over the hospital assault incident.

Reports indicate that outpatient departments (OPDs), elective surgeries, and non-emergency care were severely disrupted at many government healthcare facilities as striking doctors remained off routine duty, while emergency services continued to operate where possible. Patients and their attendants, particularly those who had travelled from distant areas for scheduled care, faced prolonged delays and hardship due to the absence of regular medical staff.

The strike has also resulted in postponement of scheduled procedures and reduced availability of specialist services in hospitals including the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and other district hospitals, although some departments operated at minimal strength due to consultant and senior faculty attendance.

Health officials in the state have issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure continuity of critical care, mandating that consultants cover essential outpatient services and that radiology and other critical services are prioritised during the strike.

State government authorities, while seeking to maintain essential services, have reiterated that dialogue with medical associations remains open, and officials have emphasised the importance of restoring normal healthcare delivery for patients.

Dr. Munish Raizada, MD, FAAP, shared his views on the IGMC Shimla doctor–patient assault case, calling the incident ethically unacceptable and urging personal accountability from the doctor involved.

In a video statement, Dr. Raizada said that a doctor assaulting a patient lying on a hospital bed was deeply troubling and went against the moral and ethical foundations of the medical profession. He stated that regardless of provocation, a doctor cannot resort to physical violence against a patient, particularly one who is ill and seeking care.

Dr. Raizada emphasized that medicine is still regarded as a noble profession and said the path forward lies in reflection and accountability. He suggested that if Dr. Raghav Narula feels remorse, the first step toward redemption should be a private, sincere conversation with the patient or the patient’s family, away from public attention.

He also expressed concern over protests supporting the terminated doctor, noting that ethical conduct should not be overshadowed by professional or regional loyalties. According to Dr. Raizada, the issue should be viewed through the lens of medical ethics rather than politics.

Referring to the ethical principle taught in medical training, he reiterated the importance of “first, do no harm” and said that the incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities doctors carry toward patients.

Dr. Raizada clarified that his remarks reflected his personal professional perspective and were not connected to the official investigation or administrative process.

Resident doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, and those in other government hospitals across Himachal Pradesh have called off their indefinite strike, bringing relief to patients and restoring normal healthcare services. The decision came after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu gave assurances to the doctors regarding a fresh, detailed inquiry into the IGMC doctor–patient assault case and the possibility of revoking the termination of senior resident Dr. Raghav Narula.

The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) issued a statement on 28 December 2025 saying the strike was withdrawn “in the larger public interest” based on the Chief Minister’s assurances. The association expressed its intention to remain fully involved in the inquiry process until the termination order is formally reviewed. A further meeting to discuss future action, if needed, has been scheduled for 3 January 2026.

The RDA also thanked resident doctors’ organisations across the state and country, including the Himachal Medical Officers’ Association (HMOA), State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), and other supporting groups for their solidarity during the protest.

While the strike has ended and healthcare services are expected to return to normal, some doctors outside the RDA framework have continued limited protests, saying they want written guarantees regarding both Dr. Narula’s termination review and improved safety protocols for medical staff.

This development came after two days of disruption in government hospital services, which severely affected outpatient departments, elective surgeries, and other routine care, although emergency services continued to operate throughout the protest.

After days of unrest and protests linked to the IGMC Shimla doctor–patient assault incident, the dispute between Dr. Raghav Narula and the patient involved was resolved through a mutual settlement following government mediation.

According to multiple media reports, the settlement was reached after direct dialogue between the doctor and the patient, facilitated in the presence of hospital authorities and representatives of the Himachal Pradesh government. As part of the resolution, Dr. Narula apologised to the patient, and both sides agreed to bring the matter to a peaceful close.

Reports indicate that the patient accepted the apology, and the interaction took place in a controlled setting aimed at de-escalation and reconciliation. Officials said the settlement was reached to restore normalcy in the hospital environment after the incident triggered widespread protests and an indefinite strike by resident doctors.

State authorities stated that the mediation was undertaken in the interest of patient care, institutional stability, and public order. The government reiterated its position that violence inside hospitals is unacceptable, while also emphasizing the need to prevent further disruption of healthcare services.

Following the settlement, medical services at IGMC Shimla resumed normal operations, bringing relief to patients who had been affected by service disruptions during the protest period. Hospital officials confirmed that outpatient departments and routine services returned to functioning as per schedule.

Authorities clarified that the settlement between the doctor and the patient was aimed at resolving the immediate dispute and restoring hospital functioning. Administrative and legal processes related to the incident will continue as per procedure.