Now, IMA seeks probe against doctor for assaulting colleague

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Payal, January 13

The local unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded probe in the incident in which a local doctor posted at Payal Civil Hospital was assaulted by his colleague doctor when he was performing his duties at the office of SMO Civil Hospital Payal on Saturday. 

The Payal Circle police have also initiated action on the complaint of the victim identified as former SMO of Civil Hospital Ahmedgarh Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta. 

The accused, identified as Dr Swarndeep Singh, was reportedly facing another inquiry for being marked absent by legislator Lakhvir Singh Lakha. 

President local unit of IMA Dr Rajinder Pal Singal regretted that Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta was assaulted by his colleague Dr Swarneep Singh, when he was performing his duty in the office of SMO Dr Bhupinder Singh in connection with an inquiry entrusted to him (Dr Narinder) on Saturday. “When government doctors are being assaulted by their own colleagues, how can we expect the safety of doctors from common public?” argued Dr Raj Pal Singal, demanding a probe into the sequence of events leading to the incident, in which Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta received injuries on face.

Civil Surgeon Ludhiana Dr Parwinder Singh Sidhu said an inquiry regarding Dr Swarandeep Singh’s absence from work was already pending. “Now, when the same doctor has been reported to have assaulted Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta, we will initiate departmental action after the police complete their investigation,” he said. 

DSP Payal Rachhpal Singh Dhindsa said: “We have already advised the investigating officer Kamaljit Singh to proceed further as the statement of the complainant has already been recorded,” said DSP Dhindsa, adding that the footage from the CCTV installed at the office of SMO would be considered as supporting evidence.

Victim Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta alleged that Dr Swarandeep Singh attacked him without any provocation when he did not allow him to study the investigation report in connection with an inquiry entrusted to him. 

Dr Swarandeep Singh denied charges levelled against him and alleged that Dr Narinder Kumar Gupta had concocted a false story to settle old scores with him. “I was not present in the hospital when Dr Gupta alleged that I manhandled him. I had gone somewhere for some personal reasons,” said Dr Singh. Old rivalry, when Dr Narinder was his SMO at Samrala, was cited to be the reason behind the alleged attempt to involve him, said Dr Singh.