In a brazen act of violence, a patient was shot dead inside ward number 24 of Delhi’s Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital on Sunday. The victim, identified as 32-year-old Riyazuddin, had been admitted to the hospital on June 23 for treatment of an abdominal infection.
According to Riyazuddin’s wife, the attack was a case of mistaken identity, with the shooter targeting someone else in the hospital. “They had come here to kill someone else but mistakenly shot by husband……. A person admitted to another ward had threats against him, and it seems the shooters intended to kill him but ended up shooting my husband instead,” she told news agency ANI.
Police Arrest Two Suspects, Shooter Still at Large
Delhi Police have arrested two people, Faiz Khan (20) and Md Farhaan (21), who are allegedly associated with the Hashim Baba gang, in connection with the planning of the murder. However, the four assailants who entered the hospital, including the main shooter, are still at large, and efforts are on to find them.
The police revealed that the assailants’ actual target was another patient, Waseem (33), who was admitted to the same ward as Riyazuddin. Wassem, a member of the Hshim Baba gang who broke away over a petty fight, was shot four times in the Welcome area last month and is currently recuperating in the hospital
According to investigators, the Hashim Baba gang planned to kill Waseem in revenge for a fight in Tihar Jail last year. “Waseem was a member of the Hashim Baba gang but broke away over a petty fight. We think he started working for the Chhenu gang and was arrested and sent to jail in 2022-23. While he was in jail, he allegedly attacked members of the Baba gang with blades. This enraged the gang leaders, who then planned to kill him,” an officer said, on condition of anonymity.
Doctors Go on Indefinite Strike, Demand Better Security
The shocking incident has led the Resident’s Doctors Association (RDA) of GTB Hospital to declare an indefinite strike, citing serious security concerns. The RDA has expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address their repeated appeals for adequate security, which they believe could have prevented this tragic event.
“Our repeated appeals for enhanced security have been ignored, culminating in this tragic event. Until the Delhi Government ensures a secure environment for everyone within the hospital, we cannot continue our duties,” an RDA spokesperson said. The strike will continue until fundamental improvements in security are effectively implemented and communicated.
Despite the strike, emergency services at the hospital will remain operational to ensure patient care is not entirely disrupted, The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has described the incident as a “mafia-like killing” and emphasized the urgent need for improved security measures.
Political Reactions and Calls for Improved Security
The incident has also sparked political reactions, with Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj criticizing Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and alleging that the capital’s law-and-order situation has deteriorated under his tenure. Bharadwaj highlighted a series of violent incidents in Delhi, including the shooting at GTB Hospital, and accused the Delhi Police of being politically manipulated and understaffed.
FORDA President Avrival Mathur highlighted the urgent need for security measures, stating, “The recent incident of violence at GTB Hospital underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures for our doctors.” Mathur also urged the Ministry of Health to release Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) to bolster security at major government hospitals, while also calling for the swift tabling of the Central Protection Act in Parliament.
Echoing these sentiments, Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Chairperson Rohan Krishna criticized the current state of Delhi government hospitals, describing them as “a land of lawlessness with no administration.”
Conclusion
The shocking shooting incident at GTB Hospital has brought to light the critical need for enhanced security in healthcare facilities. As doctors strike for safer working conditions, the effectively. The arrest of two suspects and the ongoing efforts to nab the shooter and other assailants are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of patients, doctors, and hospital staff.
