Bathinda doctor pulls out gun over dispute on bill

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 15

High drama was witnessed at Pragma Hospital on the Bhatti Road here today when relatives of a patient and a doctor had a dispute over the medical bill.

While cardiologist Dr Gursharan Singh, owner of the hospital, accused patients and their relatives of arguing over petty things, the patient’s relatives alleged that the doctor pulled out a pistol over the delay in payment after their kin’s death.

Sahil Monga said his father Tara Chand was admitted at Pragma Hospital with a heart ailment and was declared dead on Wednesday. He said the doctor sent an “inflated” bill to them and when they (relatives) raised the issue, the hospital staff said some entries were “pending” in the bill. “If the entries were pending, the bill should be of a lesser amount and not an increased amount. How can the bill amount become less after adding all entries?” he questioned.

He said when they questioned the staff and the doctor, the latter got angry and took out a pistol and threatened them to pay at gunpoint.

The staff and doctor, however, informed the police that though the pistol was taken out, it was not pointed towards any of the patient’s relatives. The police said the doctor claimed that the pistol was taken out in self-defence as the patient’s relatives tried to push the doctor away.

The patient’s relatives also raised a hue and cry over the use of pistol despite a ban over the carrying of arms during the election code of conduct. They demanded that a case be registered against the doctor under the Arms Act and his licence be cancelled.

Dr Gursharan Singh denied the allegations and said the issue had been blown out of proportion by the patient’s relatives to escape from the payment.

SHO, Civil Lines, Robin Singh said the matter was being investigated.