A doctor at the district hospital in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, has been suspended from duty following a police complaint by a Muslim woman for denying treatment and “kicking” her.
Rehana Parveen (28) has filed a complaint against Dr Pradeep Dhakad for allegedly kicking her in the stomach when he came to know she was a Muslim. The incident took place on 02 October.
“I had a severe pain in my stomach,” Parveen told Maktoob. “A junior doctor referred us to meet Dr Pradeep Dhakad so that I can be admitted to the hospital, but as soon as we reach to the doctor and showed our treatment card, he refused to attend me as he was recognised by my name written on the treatment card”.
Parveen was not admitted due to the non-availability of beds in the hospital. Her family argued with the doctor who told them he “doesn’t attend Muslim patients”.
“The doctor refused treatment only after reading my name,” claims Parveen. Although she was later admitted in the same hospital, she alleges that she was not given “proper care”.
The incident sparked a protest outside the hospital demanding Dhakad’s arrest.
“The doctor has refused treatment only after reading the patient’s name and committed this act keeping animosity towards the Muslim community,” said Pankaj Atulkar, from Bhim Sena, a group working with marginal groups.
An FIR was registered by the family against the doctor for attacking the woman.
‘It is revealed that Dr Pradeep Dhakad was suspended from the hospital, FIR has been registered with charges of 323,294,506 in IPC. We are investigating the matter,” Simala Prasad, Superintendent of Police of Kotwali Police station, told Maktoob.
