A late-night medical emergency at a government hospital in north Delhi spiralled into chaos when a woman and her attendants allegedly turned violent inside the casualty ward. What began as a routine medico-legal examination soon escalated into a heated confrontation, with hospital staff claiming the group abused doctors, assaulted security personnel and damaged medical equipment. The incident briefly disrupted emergency services and has once again raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in public hospitals.

Altercation breaks out during medical procedure

According to HT, the police mentioned, the incident occurred around 2.30 am on Tuesday when a 28-year-old woman arrived at the casualty ward with injuries. She was accompanied by three attendants, a man and two women.

Hospital authorities said the woman and her companions appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when they reached the emergency department. The situation reportedly escalated when doctors began initiating the medico-legal case procedure that is mandatory for injury-related cases.

Officials said the group started arguing with doctors and other hospital staff soon after the process began. The argument quickly intensified, with the woman and her attendants allegedly abusing medical personnel and creating a disturbance inside the casualty ward. Security staff deployed at the emergency section attempted to intervene and calm the situation, but they were allegedly assaulted during the confrontation, according to police.

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Equipment damaged, police called to restore order

During the altercation, the group allegedly vandalised property inside the casualty ward. Hospital officials said several pieces of equipment and furniture were damaged in the incident.

Among the items reportedly damaged were a computer system, a printer, WiFi devices and parts of the electrical wiring in the casualty area. The damage briefly disrupted emergency services, forcing hospital staff to deal with both the disturbance and the affected equipment.

The doctor on duty subsequently alerted the police through a PCR call. Police personnel soon arrived at the hospital and managed to bring the situation under control. Authorities said legal action is being initiated under the Delhi Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions Act, 2008, which provides protection to healthcare workers and medical establishments from acts of violence.

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Police said an FIR will be registered against the woman and her unidentified attendants under Sections 3 and 4 of the Act. Officials are also assessing the extent of the damage caused to government property, and the cost will be recovered from the accused as per rules. The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare workers dealing with violent behaviour in emergency wards.