Chandigarh : In a deeply disturbing incident, a junior resident doctor from the Department of Paediatrics at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, was brutally assaulted inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by the relatives of an infant undergoing treatment.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon on the third floor of Nehru Hospital, when Dr. Siddharth Chakraborty, a junior resident, was assisting a colleague in securing a difficult IV cannula on a critically ill infant. Following two failed attempts, the medical team placed the cannula near the infant’s neck—a standard and medically accepted procedure in such cases.
However, the situation escalated when bruises were observed on the infant’s neck post-procedure. The mother of the child accused Dr. Chakraborty of intentionally injuring the infant, alleging medical negligence and threatened to call her relatives. Shortly afterward, 4-5 family members arrived, allegedly dragged the doctor by his collar, and physically assaulted him—slapping, kicking, and beating him until he managed to escape into the ICU.
Dr. Chakraborty was taken to Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, where a medico-legal report confirmed the injuries sustained in the attack.
Upon being informed, PGI security alerted the institute’s police outpost, and a police team was promptly dispatched to the location.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) immediately reached the scene to support the injured doctor and assist in filing a formal police complaint. Strongly condemning the assault, ARD President Dr. Vishnu Jinja called for enhanced security across the institute.
“This kind of violence cannot and will not be tolerated in a healthcare setup. Doctors are here to heal, not to be hurt. The safety of every healthcare worker is non-negotiable,” said Dr. Jinja.
Following a preliminary investigation, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Sections 121(1) and 132(3)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the infant’s mother and other unidentified assailants.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community, particularly given that it took place in a high-security, high-dependency area like the NICU. ARD has demanded immediate and decisive measures, including increased security presence, stricter visitor regulation in critical units, and the implementation of violence-prevention protocols.
The Director of PGIMER has taken full cognisance of the matter and assured timely action, including a comprehensive internal investigation by the hospital’s security department to prevent such incidents in the future.
ARD reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting healthcare professionals and urged all stakeholders to stand united against any form of violence in medical institutions.
