Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, October 30, 2025: The Uttar Pradesh government suspended Dr. Bhaskar Prasad, acting Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the 100-bed Joint District Hospital in Birsinghpur, Sultanpur district, after he told Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protesters to redirect their planned mock funeral procession from hospital officials to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state government.
According to The New India Express, the suspension order was issued on Monday by Additional Chief Secretary Amit Kumar Ghosh of the Department of Medical and Health Services in Lucknow. He was also suspected with the allegations, including directing patients to buy medicines from outside the hospital and violations of biomedical waste disposal norms.
On October 25, AAP workers stormed the Sultanpur district hospital, accusing authorities of medicine shortages, doctor absenteeism, and poor infrastructure.
During the confrontation, a video captured Dr. Prasad saying:
“Why target the CMO? Take out the procession against the government and Yogi ji instead.”
The footage which was showing protesters in AAP caps outside the pink government hospital building went viral, sparking social media outrage and political reactions.
Following the incident, BJP Mandal President Shobhnath Yadav lodged a complaint at Jaisinghpur Police Station, accusing Dr. Prasad of “indiscipline and public mischief.”
An FIR was subsequently registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 352 (intentional insult) and 353(1)(b) (statements conducive to public mischief), according to reports by The Times of India.
The suspension order, signed by Amit Kumar Ghosh, Special Secretary, cited three specific violations:
Making objectionable remarks against the state government.
Directing patients to purchase medicines from outside the hospital.
Non-compliance with biomedical waste management standards
Issued on Monday, the order placed Dr. Prasad under suspension under Rule 4(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999.
A departmental inquiry has been ordered into the incident and related allegations.
District Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Bharat Bhushan told The Indian Express that:
“The Director of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hospital, Lucknow, has been appointed as the inquiry officer.”
Officials from the Health Directorate visited the hospital on Sunday and submitted a report recommending strict action for service rule violations.
In multiple media interviews, Dr. Prasad denied all allegations, calling the episode a “politically motivated conspiracy.”
“I had gone there on the SDM’s instruction to receive a memorandum. I did not make the comment with any ill intent. It seems to be a conspiracy,” he told PTI.
He added that the protesters’ use of the word “arthi” (bier) upset him because several of his close family members, including his wife, had passed away in recent years.
“I merely reacted, saying why would they take out my procession - they should take out one against the government instead,” he said.
Dr. Prasad further alleged that the local BJP MLA Raj Prasad Upadhyay opposed his appointment and had pressured him for “contractor favors”, which he refused to grant.
“Someone captured the video, and the local MLA circulated it widely, even sharing it with senior health officials,” he told The Indian Express.
“All these charges have been framed against me. I will approach the court soon seeking relief from these false allegations,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed to The Indian Express that Dr. Prasad’s suspension was warranted:
“The doctor has been suspended for making objectionable comments against the state government.”
He said the hospital, operational for just a year, had already been under scrutiny due to complaints of inadequate facilities.
The inquiry has expanded to examine the following things:
Improper biomedical waste disposal
Reports that patients were directed to purchase medicines from outside pharmacies.
Dr. Prasad said he was unfairly blamed for “minor irregularities beyond his control.”
“I was held responsible for issues beyond my jurisdiction,” he stated.
The Birsinghpur Joint District Hospital remains open but under tight administrative oversight.
Officials said the departmental inquiry would determine whether Dr. Prasad faces further penalties or possible reinstatement.
(Rh/VK/MSM)