Emergency duty doctor at Ashta Civil Hospital alleges assault, abuse and threats over refusal to issue medicines; police register cross-complaints and examine CCTV footage
In another incident highlighting the growing concern over violence against healthcare professionals, an emergency duty doctor at Ashta Civil Hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district was allegedly assaulted, abused and threatened with death inside his consultation cabin after refusing to dispense medicines in accordance with hospital protocol. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation after the incident, while a cross-complaint has also been filed by the accused woman against the doctor.
According to the doctor’s complaint, the incident occurred on June 26, 2026, while he was on emergency duty between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM at Ashta Civil Hospital.
Dispute Began Over Refusal to Dispense Medicines
As per the complaint, a young man arrived at the hospital seeking medicines. The nurse on duty reportedly informed him that routine medicine distribution was not being carried out because of a public holiday.
The response allegedly angered the visitor, who began arguing with the nurse and demanded to meet the doctor on emergency duty. He was subsequently directed to the doctor’s cabin.
The doctor stated that the youth entered the cabin along with another individual and insisted that medicines be issued immediately. After examining the prescription, the doctor found that it had been issued by Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal, and declined to provide the medicines, citing hospital protocol.
Doctor Alleges Assault Inside Cabin
According to the complaint, the refusal led to a heated argument during which the two men allegedly abused the doctor.
The doctor further alleged that a woman wearing a pink saree entered the consultation room during the altercation and encouraged the others to assault him before allegedly slapping him multiple times.
He claimed the blows were forceful enough to knock his spectacles out of place, forcing him to shield his face with his hands to protect himself from further assault.
Medical Equipment Allegedly Damaged
The complaint also alleges that the accused damaged medical equipment kept inside the consultation cabin, including a stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter.
Despite repeated requests by the doctor to stop the disturbance, particularly in the presence of other patients, the alleged assault and disruption reportedly continued.
Death Threats Allegedly Issued Before Leaving
According to the complaint, while leaving the hospital, the accused allegedly threatened the doctor, saying, “You are in the hospital right now; meet us outside… we will kill you.”
The alleged death threats created panic among hospital staff and triggered widespread concern regarding the safety and security of healthcare professionals working in government hospitals.
Hospital employees described the incident as another serious attack on doctors performing their professional duties.
Doctors’ Association Condemns Incident
Reacting to the alleged assault, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of AIMSA (2023–26), former FAIMA Doctors Association office-bearer and former President of the All India Students Union (2022–23), condemned the incident in a post on X.
He described the growing number of attacks on healthcare professionals as an alarming trend and said violence against doctors was escalating across the country.
Police Register Case, Probe Underway
Following the incident, the doctor submitted a written complaint at Ashta Police Station, based on which police registered a case against the accused woman and another unidentified individual under relevant legal provisions.
Meanwhile, the accused woman has also lodged a complaint against the doctor, alleging misconduct.
Police have seized CCTV footage from the hospital premises and are reviewing the recordings to establish the exact sequence of events.
Station House Officer Girish Dubey said investigators are examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage and statements from those present during the incident. He added that further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
