A shocking incident unfolded late last night at Nima Hospital in Delhi’s Jaitpur area, where two teenagers shot and killed a 55-year-old doctor, Javed Akhtar, who practiced Unani medicine. This violent episode comes just two months after the rape and murder of a doctor on duty at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, which sparked nationwide protests regarding the safety of healthcare workers.
The teenagers arrived at the private hospital late at night, with one seeking a change of dressing for an injured toe, having been treated at the hospital the night before. After the dressing was completed, the pair requested a prescription and entered Dr. Akhtar’s cabin. Minutes later, nursing staff heard a gunshot and rushed to the doctor’s office, where they found him bleeding from a head wound.
Witnesses believe the suspects are around 16 or 17 years old. Police have suggested this could be a case of targeted killing, suspecting the teenagers’ visit the previous night was part of a reconnaissance. Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage from inside the hospital to identify the suspects.
This incident has ignited fresh concerns about the safety of doctors and healthcare staff. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), which previously led protests following the Kolkata rape-murder case, has once again raised the issue, questioning why doctors are becoming targets in hospitals. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), FORDA condemned the killing and called for better law enforcement to protect healthcare workers.
The shooting has also fueled political tensions, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticizing the Centre and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for failing to maintain law and order in Delhi. AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “Delhi has become the crime capital—gangsters operating with ease, extortion calls, firings, and daily murders.” He blamed the central government for failing to address the growing crime rate in the capital.
This incident comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to set up a National Task Force to ensure the safety of doctors on duty, following the protests after the Kolkata tragedy. Despite these efforts, the fatal shooting of Dr. Akhtar has highlighted ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of healthcare professionals.
As the investigation continues, authorities are under pressure to bring the perpetrators to justice and address the broader issue of safety for doctors and healthcare workers in India’s hospitals.
