IPS Officer Accused of Abusing Delhi Doctor Sparks Emergency Ward Shutdown

Tensions ran high at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday when a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Brijendra Kumar Yadav, was accused of verbally abusing a resident doctor over the treatment of his wife. The confrontation led to the temporary suspension of operations in the hospital’s emergency ward, creating chaos for patients in need of urgent care.

Yadav, who serves as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Armed Police and Training in Puducherry, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the postoperative care provided to his wife. She had been admitted to the hospital following surgery at its Sports Injury Centre (SIC).

Confrontation Caught on CCTV

According to witnesses, Yadav, accompanied by several men in police uniforms, aggressively approached Dr. Lakshya, a resident in the surgery department. The officer allegedly shouted at the doctor, expressing anger over his wife’s treatment.

Purported CCTV footage of the incident, now circulating widely, shows a man—believed to be Yadav—pointing his finger and making hostile gestures at Dr. Lakshya. Though the footage lacks audio, the body language captured suggests a heated confrontation.

An audio recording of the exchange, shared by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of Safdarjung Hospital on its official X handle, provides further context. In the clip, a man can be heard telling the doctor:
"Jitna padhke aaya hai na, uss se dugna main padh aa chuka hu, so don’t think you are indispensable." (Translation: "I have studied twice as much as you have, so don’t think you are indispensable.")

Fallout and Demands for Action

The incident has sparked outrage among medical professionals, with the RDA demanding strict action against Yadav. The association criticized the officer’s behavior, highlighting the immense pressure under which resident doctors operate, especially in high-stakes environments like emergency wards.

One of the association’s representatives said:
"Such behavior is unacceptable. Doctors deserve respect for their dedication, not threats or intimidation."

While hospital authorities have yet to issue an official statement, the incident underscores broader issues of violence and hostility faced by healthcare workers across India.

In light of the controversy, many have called for greater protections for medical staff, who frequently deal with emotionally charged situations.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)