Teens accused of shooting doctor dead after treatment at Delhi clinic

Amid the ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the daring murder of a doctor at a Delhi hospital has once again brought their safety issues under the spotlight.

The accused, who appeared to be juveniles, apparently came for treatment and then shot dead Javed Akhtar, a 55-year-old Unani practitioner (BUMS), at a nursing home in southeast Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj area early on Thursday (October 3).

Suspects are teenagers

An inquiry revealed the possible involvement of two boys, aged about 16, who came to the three-bed Nima Hospital around 1 am for dressing, police told the media.

One of them had a bandaged toe and had also been to the hospital the day before, it was revealed, an official said. After the staff dressed the boy’s toe, the duo reportedly said they wanted a prescription and went to Dr Akhtar’s cabin.

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Sometime later, night nursing staff Gajala Parveen and Mohammad Kamil reportedly heard a gunshot. Parveen rushed towards the cabin and found Akhtar sitting still in a pool of blood.

According to the police, Dr Akhtar was oozing blood from the head.

Police suspect targeted killing

Prima facie, it seems to be an instance of targeted killing, unprovoked as it was, and involved a recce, news agency PTI quoted a police officer as saying.

Police are scanning footage from CCTV cameras installed inside the facility’s reception, dressing room, and gallery to gain some leads.

The incident comes within less than two months of the August 9 rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar hospital. The incident sparked nationwide protests by doctors demanding their safety while on duty.

The Supreme Court, while hearing the case suo motu, has set up a National Task Force to recommend steps to ensure medical workers’ safety.

Blame game

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), which led the nationwide doctors’ protests for safety, questioned why doctors were becoming easy targets in an X post.

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“A doctor at NIMA hospital, #Delhi was shot dead at point blank range yesterday night. According to @DelhiPolice- prima facie it’s a case of targeted killing — unprovoked & possibly planned. Dr Akhtar was a #BUMS practitioner. May his soul rest in peace. An incident like this happening at workplace of a doctor, in the capital city of #India? Isn’t this a blatant disregard for #LawAndOrder in the city? Why are doctors becoming easy targets in the hospitals? Who will answer? @LtGovDelhi @CMODelhi @AtishiAAP @ArvindKejriwal,” FORDA tweeted.

Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj blamed the central government and the Lt Governor because the Delhi Police reports to them and not the Delhi government.

“Delhi has become crime capital — Gangsters operating with ease, extortion calls and firings and daily murders. Central Govt & @LtGovDelhi have failed in their basic work for Delhi,” he posted on X.

(With agency inputs)