Jalgaon: A junior resident doctor from the Surgery Department at Government Medical College (GMC), Jalgaon, was brutally assaulted by a mob of 15–20 relatives of a patient, sustaining serious injuries including a ruptured eardrum and a bleeding nose. The incident has shocked the medical community and raised concerns over hospital safety.
Incident Occurs During Busy Emergency Hours
The attack occurred on Friday around 8:12 pm, when relatives brought a patient to the hospital. At the time, resident doctors and interns were attending to several patients, many with injuries from firecracker blasts. Dr. Mohit, treating one patient, noticed the relatives were creating a commotion and asked them to wait outside to avoid disturbing ongoing care.
Mob Assaults Doctors
Instead of cooperating, the patient’s relatives allegedly attacked Dr. Mohit and other doctors present in the ward. The junior doctor was punched multiple times, suffered a ruptured eardrum, and sustained other bodily injuries. The attackers then fled the hospital with the patient, transferring him to another facility.
Police Register Case and Detain Suspects
Hospital authorities immediately informed the police, who have registered a case and detained two suspects in connection with the assault. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the full circumstances of the attack.
Doctors Condemn Repeated Assaults
The medical staff expressed outrage over the incident. “Such incidents keep happening repeatedly. The doctor who leaves everything behind to treat us — is there really no one to stand up for them?” doctors said, strongly condemning the assault.
MARD Submits Memorandum Demanding Security
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), GMC Jalgaon, submitted a memorandum to the hospital administration demanding strict action against repeated assaults and permanent security on the campus. The memorandum highlighted that even after repeated requests for a police chowki and security personnel, there is still no constant police presence in the casualty ward.
Pattern of Violence Against Doctors
According to MARD, this assault marks the third major incident in addition to several minor attacks on resident doctors. The memorandum warned that continued negligence in providing security could force the doctors to take action, including potentially shutting down emergency services.
Doctors Demand Immediate Action
In their memorandum, the doctors emphasized: “We demand security for resident doctors who work 24×7 relentlessly without food or sleep. If our demands are not fulfilled, we may resort to a strike, which could include shutting down emergency services.” The association also noted delays in the recruitment of the MSED security force, which was expected to be operational from July 25, 2025.
