Seven arrested after doctor assaulted by patient’s relatives at BRIMS hospital in Bidar

A doctor working at the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS) teaching hospital was allegedly assaulted by a group of persons, said to be relatives of a patient, inside the casualty ward early on Friday.

According to an FIR registered at the New Town police station in Bidar, the incident took place around 12.30 a.m. on Friday at the casualty ward of BRIMS hospital. The New Town Police have arrested all the seven accused named in the FIR within hours.

Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, in a press note, said that special teams were formed under senior police officers and all the seven accused were arrested within 12 hours and remanded in judicial custody. He warned that stringent action would be taken against anyone assaulting or threatening doctors and hospital staff on duty.

According to a complaint lodged by Tukaram Machindra, 28, a medical officer at BRIMS hospital, he was attending to a patient identified as Vijaya Singh Tukaram Chauhan of Benaknalli village, who had reportedly suffered injuries after falling from a motorcycle.

The complaint alleged that a group, comprising Aditya of Tajlapur, Vinod of Chambol village, Govind, Anil and Mahadev of Benaknalli village, Balaji of Tajlapur, Pawan of Chambol village and some others, entered the casualty ward claiming to be relatives of the patient and picked up a quarrel with the doctor over the treatment.

The accused allegedly abused the doctor, threatened him with dire consequences if anything happened to the patient and obstructed him from discharging his duties, the FIR stated. The complaint further said that the group pushed the doctor to the ground, assaulted him.

The incident was reportedly witnessed by medical staff in the casualty ward, who intervened and rescued the doctor. Dr. Tukaram, who sustained minor injuries, was admitted to the hospital.

Following the incident, the BRIM doctors and staff staged a protest demonstration demanding stringent action against the accused and enhanced security for healthcare staff in government hospitals.

“Based on the complaint, we registered Crime No. 90/2026 under Sections 132, 109, 115(2), 118(1), 352 and 351(2) read with Section 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and arrested all seven accused,” Vijaykumar N. Bavge, police sub inspector attached to the New Town station, told The Hindu.

He said the accused were allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

Interacting with the media later in the day, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma expressed shock over the incident and appealed to the public to cooperate with the doctors on duty.

“We are very saddened and shocked by this incident. Such an incident should never have happened in a hospital. All the doctors working in this government hospital are already under immense stress as the number of doctors is low compared to the population we serve. Doctors always try their best. No doctor intentionally mishandles a case or causes harm to patients. They are working for the well-being of the public and people should cooperate with them and ensure that such incidents do not recur at BRIMS,” she said.

Ms. Sharma clarified that BRIMS had competent doctors, including junior and senior residents, and rejected any suggestion regarding lack of experience among the medical staff.

“Additional security arrangements were being made at the hospital, including intensified night patrolling and deployment of more security personnel on the premises,” she said.

MP for Bidar Sagar Eshwar Khandre visited BRIMS hospital and met Dr. Tukaram. Interacting with the doctor and hospital authorities, Mr. Khandre condemned the incident and said attacks on doctors and healthcare workers could not be tolerated under any circumstances. “Doctors in government hospitals were already working under tremendous pressure and deserved support and protection from the public,” he said directing the police to ensure strict action against the accused and called for strengthening security arrangements at BRIMS to prevent recurrence of such incidents.