UP policemen whisk doctor away from district hospital to treat SSP's mother

KANPUR: A group of policemen in UP's Etawah allegedly forced a doctor on duty at the district hospital's emergency ward to accompany them to the house of the SSP, whose mother was unwell. Dr Rahul Babu alleged that despite his pleas citing the patient rush at the emergency ward, the cops turned a deaf ear to his requests and whisked him away late Wednesday.

Two accused cops were sent to police lines, and the SSP allegedly spoke to the doctor later, offering excuses for the harassment. Dr Rahul Babu alleged that Civil Lines PS in-charge, along with four constables, reached the hospital and asked him to come with them to the residence of SSP Brijesh Srivastava to check on his ailing mother. The doctor suggested sending women staff instead, but the cops allegedly coerced him into accompanying them. Dr Babu claimed that the cops also misbehaved with him and snatched his cellphone. The harassment was captured on the hospital's CCTV cameras.

SSP Srivastava, meanwhile, clarified that he did not instruct any officer to forcibly bring the doctor, adding that he had asked the PRO to call a private doctor. He said that the matter was being probed, and assured action against any policemen found guilty.

Chief medical officer Dr BK Singh said steps would be taken to prevent such cases in future. In protest, several doctors' associations shut down OPD services Thursday. The CMO assured doctors and staffers of action, following which OPD services resumed.