BJP worker held for attacking doctor at Noida’s Kailash Hospital

A 29-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to attack an 84-year-old doctor at Kailash Hospital on February 27.

A case of criminal intimidation was registered against the man, Shivam Gehlot, at Sector 20 police station.

He was arrested from outside the camp office of the district magistrate in Sector 27 where, wearing a saffron t-shirt with the party symbol, he had been protesting against Union minister and Gautam Budh Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma, who owns Kailash Hospital.

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Gehlot, a Ghaziabad resident, alleged that he had gone to the hospital in Sector 27 along with his friend Rahul Tiwari, whose 10-year-old son was suffering from ‘oral thrush’ (yeast infection in the mouth and on tongue). The doctor concerned allegedly refused to attend to him citing timings and the rush of patients, he alleged.

“The boy was being treated by Dr KL Pawa for a week, but had no relief from pain. He had stopped talking and taking food. It was 9pm when we reached the hospital. The doctor’s behaviour infuriated us and led to a heated argument. Meanwhile, Dr Sharma’s security personnel came and took me to his cabin,” said Gehlot.

“Before I could explain my grievance, Sharma slapped me and threatened to take my life. His security personnel also beat me up. I was later asked to apologise to the doctor,” he added.

However, Dr Sharma said, “I was in my office and suddenly there was chaos. I got to know that he had tried to attack an 84-year-old doctor inside the hospital with scissors. The doctor was saved by the paramedical staff. Despite this, I asked the doctor to attend to the boy and did not take any consultation charges from his father. I ensured that the boy gets relief.”

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He said that the hospital staff with Dr Pawa, who is an ENT specialist, had asked Gehlot and the patient’s father to come the next day or visit the emergency department, but he did not listen to them and started beating them up.

“Following the incident, we filed a complaint at the police station and a case of criminal intimidation was registered against him. His allegations of me thrashing him are baseless. He was doing it to evade arrest,” Dr Sharma added.