Haryana doctor 'manhandled', whisked to police station after phone spat with SHO

A doctor posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gharaunda was allegedly whisked away by the police following his heated exchange on phone with an SHO on Wednesday evening.

The incident triggered widespread anger among the doctors’ community. On the intervention of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA), the doctor, identified as Dr Parshant Chauhan, was released by the Gharaunda police.

Dr Chauhan accused SHO Deepak and four other police personnel of misbehaving with him, manhandling him, and forcibly taking him away from the hospital premises. He further alleged that the SHO obstructed him from performing his official duties.

However, SHO Deepak refuted the allegations, and said that the doctor had misbehaved with him during a phone conversation and used abusive language. He claimed that the doctor was released after he expressed regret over the incident.

As per information, several Medical Legal Report (MLR) cases were reported at the hospital on Holi. Dr Chauhan said that a police vehicle with a team had been deployed at the hospital to maintain law and order on the occasion of Holi. Due to the high number of MLR cases, many people gathered at the hospital, leading to chaos.

“There was chaos at the hospital, and the police vehicle was nowhere to be seen. I repeatedly called the SHO to send police personnel to maintain law and order, but his behaviour over the phone was inappropriate. Instead of sending a team, the SHO arrived at the hospital with four other police officers, manhandled me and dragged me to the police station,” Dr Chauhan alleged.

Haryana Civil Medical Services Association president Dr Sanjay Verma, along with Dr Deepak Goel and Dr Munish Singla, reached the hospital. The HCMSA office-bearers condemned the incident and demanded the registration of an FIR against the SHO and other police personnel involved.

All doctors and staff members in Gharaunda have announced the suspension of work till action is taken against the SHO and others involved,” said Dr Goel.

Due to the strike of staff members and doctors, the patients faced inconvenience.

“We demand a fair investigation into the matter and the suspension of the SHO and other police personnel involved. They should be arrested after registration of a case,” said Dr Verma.

He further said, “We will meet the Civil Surgeon and the Superintendent of Police in this regard. At present, a meeting of doctors is under way at the Civil Hospital to discuss further action.”

Later, all doctors working in government-run hospitals across Karnal district went on indefinite strike over the incident. All medical facilities, including emergency services and postmortem examinations have been stopped.

The doctors said they would continue their protest till strict action is taken against those responsible for the alleged misconduct.