The Hyderabad city police on Wednesday arrested four people for the vandalism at Global Hospital in the city’s Lakdi ka pul area after the death of a patient. The police arrested three sons and one more relative of the woman, Shameen Begum, who passed away in the hospital.
On being informed of her death, angry family members on Tuesday attempted to attack the doctors, vandalize chairs, tables and wheelchairs at the reception. They also overturned the desk. Some even reportedly pelted stones at the glass. Security guards rushed in and the police were also called in to control the mob. However, the accused also assaulted the policemen who arrived on the spot.
"They have not done treatment properly and they have been asking money daily. The staff is asking for cash separately to go check on my mother. They are demanding from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Duty doctors are also demanding money separately and saying that they will ensure she is treated properly. It is complete medical negligence," the woman’s son told reporters after the incident.
The police said that the hospital management filed a complaint, following which a case was registered under Sections 148 (Rioting), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The accused who have been picked up, have been identified as Mohiuddin Ali Khan, Barkat Ali Khan, Moshin and Mustafa.
A day after the incident, on Wednesday, members of Indian Medical Association (IMA) staged a protest in front of the hospital, condemning the incident and demanding strict action against the accused as they assaulted doctors and other professionals who were discharging their duty.
Meanwhile the Telangana Junior Doctors Association also condemned the incident and demanded that action must also be taken under Act 11, 2008, of the state government, which deals with prohibition of violence against medicare service persons and damage to property in medicare service institutions.