Following the registration of an FIR against Dr Raghav Narula, a senior resident doctor in the Pulmonary Department at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, over an alleged assault on a patient, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has come out in his support. The association said the incident has multiple sides and that the viral video circulating online shows only one part of the incident.
Addressing a press conference, Dr Sohil Sharma, President of the Resident Doctors’ Association, said every story has “two sides” and stressed the need for due process. He said the RDA has written to the Medical Superintendent and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), raising concerns over regulations and due process.
Calling the incident unfortunate, Dr Sharma said “The incident that occurred is condemnable. But every incident has two aspects. Dr Raghav Nurula, our Senior Resident in Pulmonary Medicine, was performing his duties. We want to place his complete version before you.”
Dr Sharma said the viral video only shows the doctor raising his hand and does not explain the events that led to the situation.
“Our doctors work for patients, examine them, provide treatment, and take detailed histories repeatedly. This concern is always there. The statement given by Dr Nurula has been forwarded to the college authorities and SAMDCOT,” Dr Sharma said.
He said doctors routinely examine patients, review records and take repeated medical histories as part of standard protocol. “Our doctors work only for patients and their treatment,” he added.
Dr Raghav Narula also submitted a written complaint to the Medical Superintendent and SAMDCOT, which was read out by the RDA during the press briefing.
In his statement, Dr Narula said, “I respectfully submit that I am a doctor and on December 22, at around 12:00 noon, I was performing my government duty. During this time, a patient named Arjun Kumar was admitted to the hospital.”
He said, as per hospital protocol, he requested the patient’s medical records, investigation reports, and X-ray films. “The patient started behaving in an abusive, insulting, and non-cooperative manner and refused, stating that he had already shown these documents to a ‘senior doctor’. He began addressing me with derogatory words,” Dr Nurula wrote.
As per his statement, the situation escalated, and the patient allegedly abused him and his family using obscene language. “In the same sequence, he suddenly attacked me, punched me on my chest and kicked me on my abdomen. When I tried to defend myself, he attempted to assault me further and threatened to kill me,” the statement read.
He also alleged that a companion of the patient recorded the incident on video, which later went viral on social media.
“The viral video is incomplete and distorted and does not reflect the true sequence of events,” Dr Narula said in his statement.
He further alleged that the patient obstructed him from performing his duty as a public servant and later called acquaintances who threatened him with serious consequences.
“I humbly request that strict legal action be taken in this matter so that such incidents do not recur with any doctor or public servant in the future,” he wrote.
After reading the statement, Dr Sohil Sharma said the RDA wanted to present the “other side” of the incident before the media.
He alleged that after the incident, around 100 to 200 people gathered inside the hospital and doctors on duty were confined to a room, which he described as mental harassment. He demanded immediate action in this regard.
Dr Aadarsh Sharma, Joint Secretary of the RDA, and Press Secretary Archit Sharma said the incident was a clash between both sides. They said medical-legal examinations of both parties were conducted in the presence of police and members of the public.
Archit Sharma said, “Until the impartial investigation reaches its conclusion, this video will also be challenged legally. Media trials based on incomplete videos should be avoided.”
He also highlighted the mental health concerns of doctors and appealed for patience until the investigation report is made public.
Dr Vaishali Sharma, Joint Secretary of the RDA, defended the doctor on procedural grounds. She said reviewing past records and following established protocols are routine medical practices.
She said doctors have demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in all wards, including observation areas, to ensure safety.
She said, “There should be security guards in the wards. Should there not be a safe environment in our hospital, even for procedures like bronchoscopy?”
She also questioned the origin and continuity of the viral video and said “This is not just a job, it is our profession. We want a clear, impartial investigation where both sides are heard.”
The RDA reiterated its demand for a fair, transparent and unbiased inquiry. It urged authorities and the media not to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed.
On Monday, following the circulation of the video showing the alleged assault, the government suspended Dr Narula and directed him to report to the Director of Medical Education. Shimla police registered an FIR, and an investigation is currently underway.
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