In Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, a government doctor was attacked and had his face smeared with black ink after accusations of engaging in private medical practice during government working hours. The incident has drawn attention to both the specific allegations of misconduct and the broader issue of violence against healthcare professionals in India.
On November 3rd, 2025 Dr. S.B. Khare, a Civil Surgeon, serving at the government hospital, Sidhi district, MP was confronted by workers of the local political party Shiv Sena. He had ink thrown on his face while he was leaving the private clinic after party workers claimed that unattended patients at the facility had died previously because the doctor was not present. The whole incident was filmed and went viral on social media.
The district police responded by arresting seven individuals, including Vivek Pandey, State vice president of the Shiv Sena, the main accused in connection with the assault, including other party workers who humiliated and orchestrated the attack. A formal First Information Report (FIR) was registered under relevant offences including assault on a public servant.
Hospital management stated disciplinary proceedings were underway, while the state health department announced a review of the allegations of private practice during duty hours.
The attack stemmed from public outrage over perceived neglect at the public hospital, with claims that patients were left unattended while the doctor attended to cases in private practice.
Whether these claims are substantiated is under investigation.
As per Rule 13 of Central Health Service (CHS) Rules, 2014, persons appointed to CHS shall not be allowed private practice of any kind whatsoever including any consultation and laboratory practice.
The case adds to rising documentation of attacks on medical professionals, which pose serious implications for both workplace safety and patient care.
According to data from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and published research, incidents of violence, abuse and assault against doctors have been increasing nationwide. In one multi-centre study, a majority of residents reported experiencing verbal or physical aggression during duty hours.
Healthcare associations have repeatedly called such acts a threat to the delivery of medical services, citing that fear of violence may deter doctors from performing high-risk procedures or working in public facilities.
Following the ink attack, Sidhi district police formed a special investigation team, and the state justice department was asked to monitor the case.
In less than 48 hours, the state health ministry instructed all government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh to conduct internal audits of staff rotation and private practice compliance. Hospital administrators were warned that any doctor found engaging in private practice during official hours could face departmental action.
This incident reflects a broader national and global trend wherein medical professionals face increasing exposure to workplace violence. A 2021 systematic review published in Frontiers in Public Health found that up to 60 % of healthcare workers in some countries experienced at least one episode of violence in a year.
Contributing factors include high patient load, long waiting times, perceived negligence, and absence of dedicated security protocols in hospital settings. Hospitals are also rarely equipped with rapid-response systems for protection of staff, according to a 2023 survey published in Journal of Occupational Health.
Medical bodies advise that prevention of violence requires multi-layered strategies: adequate staffing, clear guidelines for reporting incidents, improved physical security (CCTV, controlled access), and awareness programmes for both staff and patients.
References
Eshah, N. “Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers: A Literature Review.” Journal of Nursing Measurement (2024): Article. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608241258029.
Rossi, M. F. “Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings.” International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 27, no. 4 (2023): 303-309. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_267_22.
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