Shimla:
The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), the largest representative body of medical faculty at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla, has come out strongly in defence of senior resident Dr Raghav Narula, expressing grave concern over the recent violent incident inside the hospital and what it termed as “mob pressure, selective outrage and misinformation”.
In a detailed statement, SAMDCOT President Dr Balbir Verma said conclusions were being drawn on the basis of short, selectively edited video clips, while the complete sequence of events — including prolonged provocation, threats and intimidation faced by doctors — was being ignored.
The association said that several videos circulating on social media clearly show demands for “mob justice”, with open calls to hand over the doctor to the crowd.
According to SAMDCOT, the Medicine Ward was besieged for over three hours, severely disrupting treatment of all admitted patients, including the patient involved in the incident.
Audio recordings, the association claimed, reveal people inside the hospital calling others to gather and threaten doctors, creating fear and chaos in a space meant exclusively for patient care.
Despite intervention by the administration, attempts were made to physically assault doctors, the sounds of which are audible in multiple videos, it said.
SAMDCOT pointed out that all videos in circulation were recorded by the patient’s attendants and not by doctors, who were engaged in their clinical duties.
“Only the reaction was shown, not the cause,” the association said, adding that continuous abuse, threats and pressure faced by doctors were completely concealed from public view.
Raising serious concerns over privacy violations, the faculty body said Dr Narula’s personal photograph was shared with the media without consent, leading to harassment and defamation.
It also alleged that fake and AI-generated images and videos were being circulated to falsely portray the doctor as violent, while open threats were issued to doctors on duty, endangering their safety.
The association further flagged illegal sloganeering, political presence and mob gathering inside hospital premises, calling it a direct violation of orders of the Hon’ble High Court.
Such activities, it said, endangered patient safety and disrupted essential medical services.
SAMDCOT stressed that Dr Narula has presented his side of the story and demanded that it be given equal and fair consideration.
“Doctors are not villains. They work under extreme pressure and emotional situations to save lives,” the statement said.
Warning of escalation, the association said harassment, misinformation and unsafe working conditions force doctors to take collective action, which ultimately impacts patient care.
It cautioned that if legal action is not taken against leaders who allegedly incited the mob and addressed the crowd inside the hospital, a state-wide agitation would be launched.
“Hospitals must remain safe work spaces for patients and healthcare workers alike,” SAMDCOT asserted.
