Five arrested for assaulting supervisor, doctor at Nagpur hospital over Rs 1,500 treatment bill

Nagpur: A dispute over a payment of just Rs 1,500 for treatment led to violence and vandalism at Niramay Hospital in the Imamwada area, where the accused allegedly ran amok in disregard of the law. The hospital's supervisor was abused and beaten, and a doctor was also targeted. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety of healthcare workers. Imamwada police have arrested five accused.

On the night of October 20, Sandeep Thokar, injured in a road accident, was brought to Niramay Hospital for treatment. After an X-ray, doctors told them he had a fracture in his leg. They bandaged it and advised that he be admitted to the hospital. The people who had come with Thokar said they would take him to another hospital. The hospital's supervisor, Subhash Gaydhane, asked them to pay Rs 1,500 for the treatment. This led to an argument between Gaydhane and the group. During the argument, they threatened Gaydhane and left the hospital.

Some time later, Sagar Nikam and Aditya Tiwari allegedly returned to the hospital with five to six associates. The dispute then turned violent. The accused abused Gaydhane and began beating him. The supervisor was injured in the attack, which involved a hockey stick and fists. A doctor who came to intervene was also beaten. Items kept in the hospital were smashed and damaged.

This is the second incident in a fortnight in which a hospital was vandalised and a doctor assaulted. Earlier, in Dhantoli, relatives angered by the death of a girl had beaten up and vandalised the premises of Dr Gandhi.

A case has been registered at Imamwada police station on a complaint from the hospital management. Police have arrested five accused. Further investigation is under way. With a dispute over treatment costs escalating into assault and vandalism, the safety of doctors and staff in health institutions is in the spotlight again. Police are now expected to uncover other aspects of the incident in the investigation.