SIALKOT: The Rangpura police registered a murder case on Thursday against Dr Sajid, of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, for the death of a patient who was allegedly tortured by the doctor and surgical ward’s security guard and sweeper at the ward late on Wednesday.

Muhammad Afzaal, who was brought to the hospital for treatment of appendicitis, suffered neck injuries after falling from the stretcher in the brawl.

Police registered a case on the complaint of Afzaal’s brother Ashfaq, of Ghunsaarpur-Gandeywali.

According to the first information report, Afzaal was brought to the surgical ward of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital late on Wednesday for treatment. At the ward, duty doctor Sajid got infuriated on some issue with the attendants and soon the exchange of words turned into a brawl.

Dr Sajid called the guard and the sweeper of the surgical ward and beat the patient and his attendants.

The FIR added the doctor also pushed the patient and he fell from the stretcher. Afzaal suffered neck and head injuries and soon died there unattended.

After the death of the patient, the accused doctor fled the scene. Other paramedics later attended the patient but it was too late.

Later, Dr Sajid spoke to reporters on phone from an undisclosed location that the attendants had first started the brawl and thrashed him for not treating Afzaal instantly. During the fight, the tragedy occurred.

After the death of the patient, authorities sprang into action.

Medical Superintendent Dr Khalid Faiz Butt recommended suspension of Dr Sajid from the job.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail ordered a probe into the issue and appointed Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Umer Sher Chattha the inquiry officer. He told Dawn the responsible people would be brought to task.

Prof Dr Zafar Ali Chaudhry, Khwaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College principal, also ordered a probe into the matter.

He told Dawn a special inquiry team consisting of doctors had already started a probe into the matter.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2017