A 32-year-old man was shot dead by a teenager inside a ward at the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in Delhi on Sunday. The victim, identified as Riyazuddin, had been admitted to the hospital on 23 June and was receiving treatment for an abdominal infection, according to police.
The shooting occurred in Ward Number 24 of the hospital, with only one shooter involved, authorities stated, as per news agency PTI. "The PCR call regarding the incident in Ward No. 24 was received at the GTB Enclave police station," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), Surendra Choudhary, as quoted by PTI. Upon arrival, police found Riyazuddin injured, and he was later declared dead by doctors.
Police investigations revealed that around 4 pm, an 18-year-old man entered the ward and fired at Riyazuddin. "A case is being registered and teams have been formed to nab the culprit. Prima facie, the matter seems to be of personal enmity," the DCP added.
An official statement from the GTB Hospital mentioned that a few individuals had pushed the doctor as they entered the ward, shot the patient, and then fled the scene. No other injuries were reported. The SHO of GTB Enclave, ACP, and Crime Branch officers were alerted by the Chief Medical Officer on duty and promptly reached the crime scene.
A nurse, who was on duty and wished to remain anonymous, recounted the terrifying incident. "The teenager entered the ward at 3:59 pm and asked everyone to remain calm and not raise alarm. He took out a pistol which he had concealed behind and shot the patient and ran away," she said, as quoted by PTI. The sound of the gunshot drew a crowd outside the ward, and one of them informed the police. "It was scary for everyone who were inside the ward," she added.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced that a security review of all hospitals in the city will be conducted to prevent such incidents in the future. "No negligence will be tolerated," he asserted, as per PTI.
Delhi Patient Murder: GTB Doctors Announce Indefinite Strike Over Safety Concerns
The shooting has prompted an indefinite strike by the hospital's Residents' Doctors Association (RDA), who have long demanded improved security measures. "Our repeated appeals for enhanced security have been ignored, culminating in this tragic event. Until the Delhi Government ensures a secure environment for everyone within the hospital, we cannot continue our duties," an RDA spokesperson said in an official statement, PTI reported. The strike will persist until fundamental security improvements are implemented and communicated, although emergency services will remain operational during this period.
The incident was also condemned by other medical associations. Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) President Aviral Mathur described the incident as a "mafia-like killing" and emphasised the urgent need for enhanced security measures. "The recent incident of violence at GTB Hospital underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures for our doctors. While the Central Protection Act should be tabled in Parliament without delay, it is imperative that the Ministry of Health immediately releases Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to beef up security at all major government hospitals," Mathur said, as quoted by PTI.
Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Chairperson Rohan Krishnan echoed these sentiments, criticising the lack of administration in Delhi government hospitals. "The Delhi government hospitals have become a land of lawlessness with no administration," Krishnan stated, as quoted by PTI.