SHIMLA, Dec 24: Chaos erupted at Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) as a shocking video surfaced showing a senior resident doctor repeatedly striking a patient inside a hospital ward — an incident that has sparked outrage, political firestorms, and a criminal investigation.

The footage, which went viral, captures 31-year-old Dr. Raghav Narula, a senior resident in the pulmonary medicine department, seizing an iron rod from 36-year-old patient Arjun Panwar before hitting him multiple times while he lay in his hospital bed. In the tense clip, Panwar can be seen trying desperately to fend off the blows, kicking at the doctor as the assault continues.

According to Panwar, the confrontation began after a bronchoscopy procedure over what he described as a “linguistic dispute.” Speaking from his hospital bed, he said Dr. Narula addressed him with the informal Hindi pronoun “tu,” a term often considered disrespectful. Panwar alleged that when he requested respectful treatment and oxygen, the doctor became hostile, escalating the confrontation into a physical attack.

Dr. Narula, now suspended, denies wrongdoing, claiming he acted in self-defence. In statements to local media, he insisted the patient had been verbally abusive and physically aggressive, asserting, “You are seeing only 10 to 15 seconds of the fight; the argument began five to ten minutes before that.” The Resident Doctors’ Association at IGMC has backed Narula, arguing the patient instigated the altercation and used offensive language against the doctor’s family.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation. Shimla Police Superintendent Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed that medical records and video evidence are under review, and strict action will be taken in accordance with the law. The state Health Minister, Dhani Ram Shandil, promised “exemplary action” against anyone found guilty, and the probe will also examine the conduct of other ward staff present during the incident.

Meanwhile, political leaders have seized on the controversy, with opposition figures condemning the incident as indicative of deteriorating standards within Himachal Pradesh’s public healthcare system. As the investigation continues, the viral video has ignited a national debate over patient safety, professional conduct, and accountability in government hospitals.