Patient shot inside GTB hospital

New Delhi, July 14

A 32-year-old man, identified as Riyazuddin, was shot by a teenager inside a ward of GTB Hospital here on Sunday, the police said. Riyazuddin, who was admitted to the hospital on June 23, was undergoing treatment for abdominal infection.

The incident took place in Ward No. 24 of the hospital, they said. There was one shooter, they added. Riyazuddin later died of the gunshot wound.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary said around 4 pm, an 18-year-old man came inside the ward and opened fire at Riyazuddin.

“A case is being registered and teams have been formed to nab the culprit. Prima facie, the matter seems to be of personal enmity,” the DCP said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said a security review of all hospitals will be carried out and no negligence will be tolerated.

An official from the hospital said a few people shoved the doctor entering the ward, shot the patient and fled.

A nurse, who was on duty and requested anonymity, said the teenager entered the ward at 3.59 pm and asked everyone to remain calm and not raise alarm.

“He took out a pistol which he had concealed behind and shot the patient and ran away,” she said.

The nurse said the sound of the gunshot drew a crowd outside the ward and one of them informed the police about the matter. “It was scary for everyone who were inside the ward,” she said.

Bharadwaj also criticised the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) for the deteriorating law and order situation in the Capital. On his social media account, he stated, “Under your tenure, the law and order situation in Delhi has deteriorated over the past two years. Criminals no longer fear the law. Shootings are happening in broad daylight inside hospitals. Murders occur right in front of the police inside Tihar Jail, with officers merely standing by. Lawyers are being shot outside courtrooms. In Jangpura, an elderly person was brutally murdered inside his home in broad daylight. Murders in broad daylight, captured on CCTV, are becoming commonplace in Delhi. Criminals are fearless. The political exploitation of the Delhi police has led to its destruction.”

In a related issue, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) staged a protest on July 9, demanding better safety for doctors and staff.