JAIPUR – The healthcare landscape in Rajasthan’s capital has been plunged into a severe crisis as nearly 200 private hospitals and nursing homes suspended all medical services, including emergency care, starting Thursday midnight. The indefinite shutdown follows reports of an alleged physical assault and intimidation of the family members of a prominent local neurosurgeon within the premises of the Rajasthan High Court.
The Incident at the High Court
The strike was triggered by events occurring during a bail plea hearing for Dr. Sondev Bansal, the director of a private hospital in Mansarovar. Dr. Bansal was recently arrested in connection with alleged irregularities under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). According to representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Jaipur branch, a group of individuals—alleged to be lawyers—disrupted the judicial proceedings by raising slogans and creating a ruckus inside the courtroom, forcing the judge to adjourn the matter until May 11.
Medical bodies further alleged that after the hearing, Dr. Bansal’s father and brother were intercepted within the court complex, taken to a bar room, and subjected to verbal abuse and physical assault. These claims have created a wave of fear and indignation among medical professionals, who argue that if the safety of a doctor’s family cannot be guaranteed even within the halls of justice, the community remains fundamentally unprotected.
Paralysis of Medical Services
The strike has seen a total boycott of Outpatient Department (OPD), Indoor Patient Department (IPD), and critical emergency services. While hospitals have continued to provide care to patients already admitted before the strike began, fresh admissions have been halted.
With private facilities recording a daily average turnout of approximately 40,000 OPD patients, the shutdown has left thousands of residents stranded. The State Health Department has responded by strengthening arrangements at government-run hospitals, extending their outdoor service hours into two shifts to manage the sudden influx of patients. However, specialized treatments and elective surgeries at private institutions remain completely stalled.
Escalating Demands and Official Response
Multiple healthcare organizations, including the Jaipur Medical Association (JMA) and the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHNHA), have unified under a common set of demands. They are calling for:
- Immediate legal action against those involved in the courtroom disruption and assault.
- The unconditional release of Dr. Bansal, citing that a prior medical board found no evidence of negligence in the case that led to his arrest.
- Enhanced security for doctors and their families within legal and medical environments.
Conversely, the High Court Bar Association has refuted the allegations of physical violence, describing the incident as a verbal argument between private litigants that was resolved through mediation. Rajasthan’s Medical and Health Minister has appealed to the doctors to reconsider the strike, noting that while the dispute is a private matter currently before the court, the denial of treatment to critically ill patients could lead to avoidable fatalities.
As the standoff enters its third day, medical associations have warned that the protest could expand into a statewide strike across Rajasthan if their demands for justice and safety are not met by early next week.
