Hospital Staff Protest Following Assault on Physician

Doctors and staff at Araluguppe Mallegowda District Hospital protested after a woman assaulted a physician. The incident occurred when the doctor asked the patient's relatives to leave. An FIR was registered, and the woman was arrested. The doctors demanded increased security and legal action against the attackers.

Doctors and staff at the Araluguppe Mallegowda District Hospital staged a protest on Tuesday by shutting down the outpatient department after a woman allegedly grabbed a physician by his collar and hurled a footwear at him.

According to official sources, the incident occurred when Dr. Venkatesh B S was on duty at the emergency unit. Irfan, who was injured in a scuffle, arrived for treatment. While Dr. Venkatesh was examining Irfan, a group of noisy relatives gathered. When Dr. Venkatesh asked everyone but the patient to leave, an argument ensued. Irfan's kin, Taslim, reportedly enraged, hurled her footwear at the doctor, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him.

Following the assault, the hospital staff shut down the outpatient department and gathered in front of the district surgeon’s office, demanding the immediate arrest of the assailants. The District Surgeon reported the incident to the police, accusing the attackers of abuse, assault, and threatening the doctor’s life. He called for legal action and increased security for hospital staff.

Sharing the incident's video on 'X', BJP MLC CT Ravi urged the Home Minister to arrest the culprits and protect the medical staff. Chikkamagaluru SP Vikram Amathe confirmed that an FIR had been filed, and the woman involved was arrested. The protesting doctors ceased their demonstration once their demands were acknowledged.