The Himachal Pradesh government has terminated the services of a resident doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla after a video showing him assaulting a patient inside the hospital went viral on social media. The decision marks the final administrative action in the case, following the doctor’s earlier suspension and an official inquiry.
The doctor, identified as Dr. Raghav Nirula, was posted as a Senior Resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at IGMC Shimla. The incident occurred inside a hospital ward, where the patient was admitted for treatment. The video footage showed the doctor repeatedly punching the patient while he lay on the hospital bed. The clip circulated widely on social media platforms, triggering public outrage and prompting immediate action by hospital authorities and the state government.
According to an official order issued by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research Himachal Pradesh on December 24, 2025, the government terminated Dr. Nirula from service after reviewing findings submitted by a government constituted inquiry committee.
The order stated that a preliminary report was first received from the Disciplinary Inquiry Committee of IGMC Shimla on December 22, 2025. Based on this report and the video footage of the incident, the doctor was placed under suspension on December 22, 2025 under Clause 9 of the Resident Doctor Policy 2025.
Subsequently, the state government constituted a separate inquiry committee on December 23, 2025 and directed it to submit a fact finding report within 72 hours. The committee submitted its report on December 24, 2025 through the Principal of IGMC Shimla.
As per the government order, the inquiry committee found that a scuffle had taken place between the patient, identified as Mr. Arjun, aged 36 years, and Dr. Raghav Nirula. The report concluded that both the patient and the doctor were responsible for the incident.
The inquiry held that the conduct amounted to misconduct, misbehaviour, acts of commission, and behaviour unbecoming of a public servant, along with violation of provisions under the Resident Doctor Policy 2025.
On these grounds, the government terminated Dr. Nirula from the post of Senior Resident with immediate effect under Clause 9 of the Resident Doctor Policy 2025, as notified on October 10, 2025.
The altercation reportedly took place during the patient’s hospital stay at IGMC Shimla. Preliminary reports indicated that a dispute arose between the doctor and the patient or the patient’s attendants, which escalated into physical violence. The video evidence became central to the investigation and played a key role in the administrative decision to terminate the doctor’s services.
Medical experts note that physical assault within a healthcare setting raises serious concerns, as hospitals are expected to maintain a safe environment for patients, attendants, and healthcare workers. Such incidents also draw attention to the importance of conflict management, communication skills, and adherence to medical ethics in clinical practice.
Reacting to the termination, Dr. Munish Kumar Raizada, MD, FAAP, posted on social media platform X:
“Dr. Raghav Narula has been terminated. A big relief! What an unfortunate incident of grave nature. This young doctor has literally ended his career, but the whole incidence was simply unacceptable and there's no way we can even think of condoning action of the doctor.”
The case has sparked broader discussions within the medical community about workplace stress, patient doctor interactions, and the need for institutional mechanisms to prevent violence in hospitals. However, authorities have maintained that physical assault on a patient cannot be justified under any circumstances.
With the termination order issued, the doctor is no longer associated with IGMC Shimla or government medical services in Himachal Pradesh. Police proceedings related to the incident are ongoing, and officials have stated that legal processes will continue independently of the departmental action already taken.
MedBound Times has previously reported in detail on the suspension of the doctor and the widening of the case, including the naming of a second doctor in related proceedings.
