Days after infant’s disappearance, PGIMS doc booked for ‘manhandling’ VC in public

Police have booked a senior doctor with the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences-Rohtak (PGIMS-R) for allegedly manhandling and insulting University of Health Sciences vice chancellor OP Kalra in front of patients and their attendants on the hospital premises.

The incident occurred on Monday, when Dr Kalra came down to the PGIMS-R to inspect its gynaecology ward.

A security guard submitted the complaint on Dr Kalra’s behalf, stating that Dr Bijender Dhillon – nodal officer of the labour room – first yelled at the vice chancellor for reportedly neglecting to remove his shoes and wear a gown before entering the sanitised zone. He then pulled Dr Kalra into the attendants’ room and again castigated him for not constructing a separate toilet for them. “He accused Dr Kalra for using public money to build luxurious facilities at his own home, instead of spending it on the hospital. He continued to make disparaging remarks about the vice chancellor long after he had left,” the guard said.

Notably, Dr Dhillon was earlier charge-sheeted for lapses pertaining to the disappearance of a newborn from the hospital’s gynaecology ward on September 10. Hospital director Dr Rakesh Gupta had resigned twelve days after the incident.

Dr Kalra accused Dr Dhillon of grabbing him by the arm and pushing him around in full public view. “He tried to instigate the public by making false allegations against me. Besides, exhibiting such behaviour when a public servant is on his rounds amounts to preventing him from carrying out his duties,” the vice chancellor added.

Police have booked Dr Dhillon under sections 186 (obstructing a public servant from discharging his/her duties) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused has denied all charges, stating that he did nothing beyond reminding the vice chancellor of hospital protocols and bringing certain infrastructural issues to his attention.