Medical Community Demands Justice Amid Allegations of Illegal Detention and Forced Settlement
Singhpur, Odisha:
In a disturbing escalation of violence against healthcare professionals, a doctor at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in K-Singhpur has been booked for murder following the suspicious death of a patient’s attendant—12 days after the attendant allegedly assaulted the doctor over a delay in treatment.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical fraternity, which is now demanding immediate intervention, alleging false FIRs, illegal detention, extortion, and complete breakdown of law and order in rural healthcare settings.
Timeline of Events
- June 1:
A patient accompanied by the accused visited CHC Singhpur for a minor ear issue. At the time, the on-duty doctor was managing an accident case in the Minor OT and requested the patient to wait.
The accused verbally abused, physically assaulted, and recorded the doctor without consent. The incident was caught on CCTV, and a complaint was filed with the Odisha Police by Dr. Sumiran Raut, Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC). - Same night:
The accused returned with a mob of allegedly drunk villagers, stormed into the doctor’s office, and attempted to force him to withdraw the complaint. Dr. Raut refused to comply, stating it was a matter under police jurisdiction. - June 13:
The accused was found dead on a railway track near his in-laws’ residence, about 40 km from the CHC. His wife alleged foul play and filed an FIR against Dr. Raut under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 108, 115(2), 126(2), 296, 3(5), and 351(2).
Doctor Detained, Allegedly Coerced into Settlement
Dr. Sumiran and his team were detained for 18 hours, allegedly without food, legal counsel, or access to phones. According to reports, they were forced into a Rs 2 lakh settlement and compelled to promise a job for the deceased’s family under duress. The police have been accused of mishandling the case and allowing mob pressure to influence legal proceedings.
Doctors also alleged that the mob threatened to dump the body at the MOIC’s quarters if their demands weren’t met. CHC property was vandalized, and staff fled the facility in fear for their safety.
Medical Fraternity in Uproar
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from healthcare professionals and medical associations across the state. They argue that doctors working in challenging rural areas are being scapegoated, with no institutional or legal protection.
Demands from the medical community now include:
- Immediate withdrawal of the “false” murder FIR
- Independent inquiry into the doctor’s illegal detention
- Accountability of police personnel involved in coercion
- Institutional security and legal protection for doctors in rural and high-risk postings
Broader Context
This is not an isolated event. It follows a disturbing trend of violence against doctors, including a recent case in Thiruvananthapuram, where a female MD student was attacked by a patient’s family. The Singhpur case, however, marks a worrying precedent where the doctor became the accused after being the initial victim.
What’s Next?
As the medical fraternity rallies in support of Dr. Sumiran, healthcare services in the region remain disrupted. Authorities are yet to officially respond to the allegations of detention abuse and forced settlement. The case is now being closely monitored by medical rights groups, with calls for intervention from both state and central health authorities.
