Two arrested for attacking doctor of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology hospital

Hyderabad: Two people were arrested on 6 July for attacking a doctor at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology here. The Punjagutta police arrested Sherin Fathima (54) and Khaja Ashfaq Ahmed for abusing an on-duty doctor at the hospital.

According to the police, the two accompanied an elderly wheelchair-bound patient to the hospital on Monday. Dr. Kovilapu Pavan Kumar (24) was on duty at the time. While he was attending to the patient, the two companions complained about a lack of sanitizers and masks. The doctor told them that he was only there to treat the patient and they could contact the hospital administration for other things.

Angered by the response, Sherin and Ashfaq started abusing Dr. Kumar. When he requested them to remain calm and not disturb other patients, the duo continued abusing him. He then told them that such behavior was not acceptable and they should go to another hospital if they wished. The woman slapped him and in defense, the doctor pushed her. Ashfaq then pounced on the doctor, tore his PPE suit, and hit him. The doctor's face mask and protective goggles were damaged during the incident. He also received an injury on his neck.

The hospital staff managed to rescue the doctor and alert the police. A case under Sections 323 and 506 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions Act 2008 has been registered against Sherin and Ashfaq.

Earlier, Hyderabad police booked three persons including a COVID patient for attacking junior doctors in Gandhi Hospital. Following attacks, around hundreds of Jr doctors went on strike.