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A second-year gynecology resident at Delhi’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital was attacked by five women, relatives of a newborn who died on Monday. The incident reportedly happened around 2 pm, the same day the baby passed away.
What Happened
According to reports, the doctor was walking from her OPD to Ward No. 12 when the group allegedly cornered her near Ward No. 11. They pulled her hair, tore her clothes, and punched her multiple times. They also tried to strangle her neck using her stethoscope. She sustained several injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
”While I was passing through the corridor, I saw four to five women suddenly approach and point at the victim, saying, ‘Yahi hai woh doctor, ise maaro’ (This is that doctor, beat her). They started assaulting her. Her clothes were torn, and they pulled her by her hair and punched her repeatedly. When I tried to protect her, they turned on me as well,” said the second doctor who was injured in the scuffle.
Another doctor who tried to intervene was also injured. The attack happened at a time when no hospital security was present. Nurses and other doctors rushed in to stop the assault.
What Led to the Attack
Hospital officials said the patient, Sonia, whose family members carried out the attack, had given birth a week ago. The baby was born in a critical condition with an asphyxia score of 3, which suggests very low chances of survival. The newborn was immediately put on a ventilator and, despite attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), passed away after seven days.
Authorities have stressed that there was no case of medical negligence. Sonia, the mother, is still being treated in the hospital.
Outrage in Response
The assault has sparked widespread outrage. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the incident. In the letter, they highlighted how doctors continue to work in unsafe environments despite repeated assurances and policy discussions. They pointed out the lack of proper security and administrative accountability.
FAIMA has demanded strict legal action against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges for physical assault, attempted strangulation, and attacking a public servant. They also called for the immediate release of CCTV footage from the hospital.
As a mark of protest, the Delhi Medical Association declared June 11 as Black Day, urging doctors across the country to wear black ribbons in solidarity.
"All the doctors in different hospitals will wear a black ribbon on their arms during their shifts. An FIR was lodged by the hospital administration, but all the accused got bail immediately. Today, an IMA delegation will meet the victim doctors and will decide on the next course of action," a DMA official said.
The Indian Medical Association has also assured that they will meet the assaulted doctor and decide the next course of action.
How Authorities Responded
Medical Director Dr. Meenakshi Sridhar said she reached the spot within five minutes of the incident. A medico-legal case was immediately initiated, and an official FIR was registered. She also reviewed the CCTV footage and handed it over to the police for investigation.
Dr. Meenakshi Sidhar, medical director of the hospital, told Hindustan Times:
While guards are posted across the hospital, the attack happened at a location where it took some time for them to reach. Immediately after the incident, the victim’s MLC was done, and an institutional FIR was filed. All hospital security staff have been reinstated and measures are being implemented to prevent future incidents.
Dr. Meenakshi Sidhar, Medical director of Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital
All five accused were taken to the police station around 4 pm and questioned. However, they were soon released on bail. The police stated that the attendants assaulted the doctor “in the heat of the moment.”
What’s Next
Doctors across the country continue to serve patients under stressful conditions, often going above and beyond their duty. Yet, incidents of violence against them keep surfacing.
The assaulted doctor is currently recovering, and it’s expected that the authorities will take strict action to ensure accountability and prevent such attacks in the future.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)
