Tension gripped Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Moti Nagar on Thursday after doctors formally accused local MLA Haviish Khurana of physically assaulting a duty doctor inside the casualty department. The incident, according to a complaint submitted to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, has triggered outrage among the medical fraternity, with interns and postgraduate doctors announcing they will suspend duties until strong action is taken.

The alleged assault took place at around 11:15 am when a group of four to five people arrived with a ten-year-old child who had a minor finger injury. At the time, the duty doctor was attending to critical patients, while another colleague was occupied with a trauma case. When the doctor asked the group to wait for a few minutes, the complaint states, they began intimidating him, insisting that they were associated with the local MLA and demanding immediate treatment.

Matters escalated quickly when one of the men identified himself as MLA Haviish Khurana. The doctors allege that the legislator then grabbed the doctor’s shoulder and pushed him onto his seat, while his supporters hurled abuses and filmed videos inside the ward. “This incident has not only caused physical and emotional distress but has also created a hostile and unsafe work environment for all doctors,” the complaint read.

The letter further criticises the hospital’s security personnel, claiming that guards present at the scene failed to step in to protect the doctors. “Such conduct from senior officials is unacceptable, violates professional ethics and undermines the dignity and security of medical professionals,” it added.

Doctors have demanded a fair inquiry into the incident, legal action against the MLA, the release of CCTV footage, and stronger security arrangements in the casualty ward. They have also made it clear that no medical intern or postgraduate doctor will resume duties until measures are put in place to ensure their safety.

The episode has intensified longstanding concerns over the safety of healthcare workers, who say assaults and intimidation in hospitals are becoming disturbingly frequent. Authorities at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital have yet to issue an official response.