An on-duty doctor at a rural hospital in Malda was allegedly assaulted by the block development officer of Habibpur during the early hours of Friday.

Government doctors in Malda district demanded an impartial probe and an exemplary punishment of BDO Anshuman Dutta.

Sources said Dutta had brought his wife to the Bulbulchandi RL Roy Rural Hospital for treatment around 2.40am.

Dipanjan Mondal, the on-duty doctor, asked him to bring his wife indoors for tests and treatment.

“The BDO, however, turned violent and attacked the doctor. He punched and slapped him many times. The doctor suffered injuries to the right hand. Even after such behaviour, the patient was properly treated and she was released,” said an employee of the hospital.

The entire incident, sources said, has been recorded by CCTV cameras. Mondal filed a complaint against Dutta at Habibpur police station.

“We have taken up the matter with the district administration. The district magistrate has assured us of an impartial probe and proper steps if the complaint is true,” said Sudipto Bhaduri, the chief medical officer of health of Malda.

Doctors at different government hospitals and Malda Medical College & Hospital have asserted that if steps are not taken against the BDO, they will launch a movement.

“We condemn the attack on the doctor by an administrative officer. Even his wife is a health employee. We will send a letter to the district magistrate, demanding
stern action against the BDO,” said Tapas Chakraborty, president of the Indian
Medical Association (IMA) in Malda.

Nitin Singhania, the district magistrate, declined comments.

Sources in the administration, however, said that a meeting was held on Friday evening based on the doctor’s complaint.

Anshuman Dutta, the BDO, could not contacted for his reaction to the allegation.