Violent Attack on Doctors at Mumbai Hospital After Patient Death Raises Concerns About Medical Staff Safety

Further investigation is currently in progress, according to officials. (Representational)

A disturbing incident of violence against medical professionals occurred at R.N. Cooper Government Hospital in Mumbai, where three doctors working emergency duty were reportedly attacked by family members of a deceased patient, according to a statement released by the hospital on Saturday.

Hospital officials stated that a 65-year-old female patient was brought to the emergency department suffering from severe breathlessness and extreme weakness on Friday evening.

The patient received immediate attention from the on-duty Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) Gaurav Anandgaonkar, Medicine Resident Karan, and interns Prashant Bhadke and Rahul Pradhan.

Despite the medical team's prompt administration of CPR and other emergency life-saving procedures, they were unable to resuscitate the patient, who was pronounced dead at 12:32 a.m. on Friday.

Following the death announcement, one of the patient's relatives reportedly became violent and began physically attacking the medical staff.

CMO Anandgaonkar suffered multiple blows to the face, Intern Bhadke was assaulted, and Medicine Resident Karan sustained injuries to his face, eye, chest, and abdomen while attempting to shield his colleagues from the attack.

According to the hospital, the violent incident took place within the casualty ward "in full public view," with allegations that security personnel present failed to intervene.

"Despite repeated calls for assistance, there was no immediate response, allowing the assailant to continue his violent behavior unchecked," the statement indicated.

The hospital specifically named contractual security staff members—Sanjay Lite, Deepchand, Vikas Kate, and Palan Thakur—accusing them of negligence and failure to perform their duties.

Describing the incident as "alarming and unacceptable," the hospital emphasized that the doctors were attacked while performing their professional duties and attempting to save a patient's life—a situation that "cannot be tolerated under any circumstance."

A formal complaint has been filed at the Juhu Police Station regarding the incident.

Police authorities have registered a case against the identified assailant, Sameer Abdul Jabbar Shaikh, under IPC sections 121(1), 132, 352, and 351(2).

The investigation continues as authorities look into the matter.

The injured medical professionals have received treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.