A 77-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a doctor at the district hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur. A video of the incident went viral on social media Sunday, after which an inquiry has been ordered into the doctor’s conduct.
The incident took place on April 17. A video captured by a bystander purportedly showed a frail Udhavlal Joshi being dragged across the hospital premises and threatened with confinement inside the hospital’s police outpost.
Joshi had brought his ailing wife to the hospital over a stomach vein disorder. He said they were waiting in line, like several others, when the doctor, identified as Rajesh Mishra, confronted them.
According to Joshi, the doctor asked them why they were in the queue, and when they tried to explain, the doctor allegedly slapped him. Then, the doctor dragged him towards the police outpost inside the hospital premises.
“The doctor kicked me and dragged me to the chowki. He slapped me and broke my glasses. He also tore my slip and threatened to kill me. My wife was also assaulted,” Joshi told reporters.
The doctor claimed the man behaved inappropriately. “I was looking after patients and suddenly, this old man began abusing a woman who was standing in line. He also misbehaved with hospital attendants. He then held my hand and slapped me when I asked him to stand in line,” Mishra said.
Chhattarpur medical authorities had initially repeated the doctor’s claim. However, after the video went viral, a departmental inquiry was ordered and a showcause notice was issued to the doctor.
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