A doctor in Kerala's Kannur district has been accused of obstructing an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient. The incident occurred on January 16 in the Thalassery area, and the doctor was fined ₹5,000 by the authorities.
As per police reports, the ambulance was on its way to a hospital via Nayanar Road when a car driven by Dr. Rahul Raj, who operates a private clinic in Iritty, allegedly blocked its path. Despite the ambulance's sirens signaling the need for urgent passage, the vehicle was reportedly not given way. The ambulance driver, citing the delay as a potential threat to the patient's life, lodged a complaint with the Kathirur police station.
Following the complaint, a case was registered against Dr. Rahul Raj under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including offenses related to obstructing emergency services. The Motor Vehicles Department also penalized the doctor with a ₹5,000 fine for his actions.
According to sources, Dr. Raj stated that he became flustered upon hearing the ambulance siren and moved aside as soon as he could. However, visuals of the incident, later broadcast on television, seemed to contradict his claim.
In a related context, the importance of yielding to ambulances has been highlighted in Kerala, with authorities taking strict action against those who fail to do so. For instance, a man in Thrissur faced a fine of ₹2.5 lakh and had his driving license revoked for refusing to let an ambulance pass. Such incidents underscore the critical need for compliance with laws prioritizing emergency vehicles to save lives.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)