IGMC Shimla Brawl: Senior Resident Terminated Following Inquiry Report

New Delhi, December 25, 2025:In a swift move following a shocking incident of hospital violence, the Himachal Pradesh government has terminated the services of a senior resident doctor at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC). The decision follows a high-level inquiry into a physical altercation between the doctor and a patient that was captured in a viral video, sparking statewide outrage.

The Incident and Investigation

The confrontation took place on in the pulmonary medicine ward of IGMC. A 16-second video clip, which quickly went viral on social media, showed Dr. Raghav Narula, a senior resident, repeatedly punching 36-year-old patient Arjun Singh in the face as he lay on a hospital bed. The patient was seen attempting to kick back in defense.

Following the public outcry, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu ordered an immediate probe. A committee was formed to examine the sequence of events and submitted its fact-finding report on December 24.

Key Findings of the Report

The inquiry committee concluded that the incident was not a one-sided assault but a mutual brawl where both parties were at fault. According to the official order:

• Contributory Negligence: Both the doctor and the patient were found responsible for the escalation of the conflict.
• Misconduct: The doctor’s actions were labeled as “misconduct, misbehavior, and acts unbecoming of a public servant.”
• Policy Violation: The conduct was found to be in direct violation of the Resident Doctor Policy-2025.

Conflicting Accounts

The brawl reportedly began over a verbal disagreement.

• Patient’s Side: Arjun Singh, a private academy teacher, claimed the doctor addressed him disrespectfully using the pronoun “tu” instead of “tum” or “aap.” When Singh asked for politeness, he alleged the doctor became aggressive.
• Doctor’s Side: Dr. Narula maintained that the viral video only showed a partial truth. He alleged that the patient had instigated the fight by using abusive language against his family and physically attacking him first during a routine check-up.

Administrative and Legal Action

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) issued a termination order for Dr. Narula effective immediately.

The Road Ahead

While the government has taken “exemplary action” to maintain discipline, the incident has reignited the debate over the safety of healthcare workers and the treatment of patients in overstretched public hospitals. The Shimla Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT) has demanded a fair investigation into those who allegedly incited the crowd during the subsequent protests.