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Shimla doctor’s dismissal sparks mass leave protest; IGMC services hit

A delegation of the Resident Doctors’ Association, IGMC Shimla, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, seeking that Senior Resident Dr Raghav Narula be reinstated.

3 min readShimlaDec 26, 2025 04:14 PM IST

Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, IGMC, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,

Due to the protests, the OPD services were largely hit at IGMC, Shimla. (Express photo)

Patients at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, faced significant inconvenience on Friday as resident doctors proceeded on mass casual leave across the city and other parts of Himachal Pradesh, affecting routine healthcare services. The leave was in protest against the termination of Senior Resident Dr Raghav Narula, who was dismissed from service for allegedly assaulting a patient at IGMC earlier this week.

According to sources, nearly 2,800 doctors, including junior residents and senior residents, went on one-day casual leave across the state.

Dr Narula was terminated from his senior residency following an alleged altercation with a 36-year-old patient, Arjun Singh, in the pulmonary ward of IGMC on December 22. The state government ordered a departmental inquiry, which was completed within 24 hours, following which his services were terminated on Wednesday.

A faculty member at IGMC Shimla, speaking on condition of anonymity, said medical services were adversely impacted not only at IGMC but also at other government hospitals across the state. “Medical services were affected today as many doctors were already on leave due to winter vacations. Though senior faculty members, including professors and assistant professors, attended outpatient departments (OPDs), the functioning was limited to barely 20 to 30 per cent. Several scheduled surgeries had to be postponed,” the faculty member said, maintaining that the emergency services were functioning.

At IGMC, around 450 doctors were on leave simultaneously, while nearly 50 per cent of doctors had already been on leave since December 22 due to winter vacations. As a result, many OPDs either had no doctors or were attended by only one or two doctors, leading to long waiting hours and distress among patients.

Several patients complained that they had travelled from distant areas a day earlier for treatment, only to find doctors unavailable. “Doctors’ problems should not be made our problems. We came here for treatment, but there is no one to attend to us,” said a patient. Others said they were unaware that doctors were on leave and questioned the hospital administration over the absence of prior notice.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), IGMC Shimla, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, pressing for the reinstatement of Dr Narula, strengthening of security arrangements in government hospitals, and legal action against individuals who allegedly entered the hospital premises and threatened doctors after the December 22 incident.

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Dr Vikas Thakur, General Secretary, Himachal Medical Officers’ Association (HMOA), said resident doctors had proceeded on leave in almost all government hospitals in the state. “A delegation met the chief minister today. While he expressed concern over doctors’ demands, we will decide our future course of action in a meeting scheduled this evening. A decision on whether to proceed with an indefinite strike from Saturday will be taken shortly,” he said.

Meanwhile, family members, relatives and residents of Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district, Dr Narula’s hometown, held a rally in his support, demanding his reinstatement and a fair and impartial investigation into the incident.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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