In a tragic incident, a doctor was shot dead inside a nursing home in the Kalindi Kunj area of southeast Delhi early Thursday morning. The victim, Javed Akhtar, a Unani practitioner (BUMS), was shot around 1:45 a.m. by two suspects, who appeared to be minors and had come seeking treatment, police reported.
According to authorities, Akhtar was discovered in his chair with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Initial investigations suggest the involvement of two boys, approximately 16 years old, who arrived at Nima Hospital around 1:00 a.m. for treatment. One of the boys had a bandaged toe and had visited the hospital the previous day for the same issue.
After receiving treatment, the two boys entered Akhtar’s cabin. Soon after, nursing staff members Gajala Parveen and Mohammad Kamil heard a gunshot. Parveen rushed into the cabin, only to find Akhtar sitting motionless, covered in blood.
The police suspect the incident was a targeted killing, as there was no provocation, and the assailants appeared to have conducted prior reconnaissance. CCTV footage from the hospital’s reception, dressing room, and gallery is being examined to identify the suspects.
Akhtar had been on duty since 8 p.m. that evening, according to a staff member, Abid. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of medical professionals, particularly as it follows ongoing discussions about the security of doctors in the country.
This fatal shooting comes amid a larger national debate about doctor safety, highlighted by the recent rape and murder of a female medic at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. Additionally, protests have erupted in Kolkata, where doctors have ceased work due to inadequate security measures in hospitals. Despite reaching an agreement with the West Bengal government last month, doctors are calling for further security improvements, including the installation of CCTV cameras and round-the-clock security personnel.
The environment of fear in hospitals has made it increasingly difficult for healthcare professionals to perform their duties, and this latest incident further underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols across medical facilities.
