Himachal govt fires doctor for assaulting patient at IGMC following heated dispute

In a shocking breach of medical ethics at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh government on December 24 terminated the services of doctor.

Raghav Narula, a senior resident doctor, following his violent assault on a patient. The explosive incident, which unfolded over a seemingly minor provocation, has laid bare serious fissures in doctor-patient interactions and raised urgent questions on professionalism within premier healthcare institutions.

The confrontation erupted when 31-year-old Dr. Narula reportedly addressed 34-year-old patient Arjun Singh with the informal pronoun “tu,” igniting a fierce argument. Singh, recovering from a bronchoscopy procedure, took offense, insisting on respectful communication, leading to a rapid escalation.

Videos that quickly went viral on social media show Narula repeatedly punching Singh in the face and chest, while the patient retaliated with kicks. Another doctor was seen trying to restrain the patient as tensions spiraled.

Following the public outrage, Dr. Narula was suspended immediately. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu swiftly ordered a probe, demanding a comprehensive report within 24 hours and timely disciplinary action.

The inquiry, conducted by IGMC’s disciplinary committee, confirmed the doctor’s role in the physical assault and recommended his dismissal. Consequently, the Department of Health and Family Welfare officially removed Dr. Narula under Clause 9 of the Resident Doctor Policy, 2025.

However, the investigation revealed a more complex picture — responsibility for the altercation was shared. Both parties were found culpable, with the patient’s aggressive response and provocative language contributing to the breakdown in decorum.

Singh claimed he challenged Narula’s informal address, emphasizing the doctor’s youth and questioning whether he spoke so disrespectfully to his own family. A newly surfaced video captures the doctor retorting, “You are merely four years elder to me,” underscoring the tense dynamics.

The fallout extends beyond the hospital walls. Singh has filed a police complaint against Dr. Narula and another physician, Dr. Nikhil, alleging assault. Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil condemned the episode as “unfortunate and unimaginable” for a flagship medical institution and affirmed that all angles, including eyewitness accounts, are under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the Resident Doctors Association of IGMC rallied in defense of Dr. Narula, accusing the patient of verbal abuse toward the doctor and his family, and highlighting the chaotic aftermath wherein an angry mob allegedly stormed the hospital, forcing doctors under security protection.

This incident has ignited heated debate in medical and administrative circles about patient-doctor relationships, the strain of frontline medical service, and how viral social media footage influences institutional decisions.

As legal proceedings proceed, the case stands as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between empathy and authority within healthcare — and the urgent need for mutual respect and professionalism in even the most charged moments.