**Senior Doctor Terminated After Viral Altercation with Patient**
A senior resident doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla has been dismissed following a viral video that captured a confrontation with a patient. Dr. Raghav Narula, who specialized in Pulmonary Medicine, faced disciplinary action from the Himachal Pradesh health department based on an inquiry report from the institute.
The inquiry committee at IGMC reported that a physical altercation occurred between Dr. Narula and a 36-year-old patient named Arjun. Following the incident, which was documented in a video, Dr. Narula was suspended from his position on December 22, 2025. The patient’s family subsequently filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the doctor, prompting an ongoing police investigation.
In response to the incident, the government established an inquiry committee on December 23, 2025, tasked with investigating all aspects of the situation and providing a report within 72 hours. After reviewing the findings on December 24, 2025, authorities determined that both the patient and Dr. Narula bore responsibility for the altercation. The government classified the incident as misconduct and behavior unbecoming of a public servant, violating the Resident Doctor Policy of 2025, leading to Dr. Narula’s immediate termination.
The incident has sparked strong reactions from both parties involved. The patient’s family met with the health minister, demanding stringent action against Dr. Narula, alleging inhumane treatment within the hospital. The patient’s father expressed disappointment, stating that while doctors are often revered, the treatment his son received was unacceptable. He urged the government to prevent Dr. Narula from practicing medicine to avert future incidents.
Conversely, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of IGMC has rallied in support of Dr. Narula, accusing the patient of misconduct. RDA president Sohel Sharma noted that the doctor has been under significant stress since the incident and claimed the allegations against him are unfounded. He asserted that the patient had engaged in verbal abuse and physical aggression, calling for an impartial investigation into the matter.
Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association (HMOA) has defended Dr. Narula, emphasizing his professional conduct and experience, and has requested the reversal of his suspension.
In a bid to clarify his side of the story, Dr. Narula released two videos explaining that the viral clip does not capture the full context of the incident. He stated that the confrontation arose during a routine check-up while he was reviewing the patient’s medical history and CT scan. According to Dr. Narula, tensions escalated when the patient reacted negatively to his approach, leading to the patient allegedly using abusive language and making threats.
As the situation unfolds, it raises important questions about patient-doctor interactions and the standards of conduct expected in medical settings.
**FAQ**
**What led to the termination of Dr. Raghav Narula?**
Dr. Raghav Narula was terminated after a viral video showed an altercation with a patient, leading to disciplinary action based on an inquiry that found both parties responsible for misconduct.
