The abduction and ragging of three intern doctors at the Government Medical College, Bhavnagar on Thursday has shocked the city and state. The crime was allegedly committed by eight individuals, including fellow students and seniors, over a dispute relating to the convocation ceremony following the completion of internships. 

Two separate cases have been registered against the accused under charges of abduction, assault, and ragging. Moreover, in response to this severe case of ragging, the anti-ragging committee has immediately suspended four intern doctors involved in the crime.  

The controversy arose among students of the 2019 batch of Bhavnagar Government Medical College over the planning of the convocation ceremony following the completion of their internships. The situation escalated due to social media mockery, leading to the shocking incident last Thursday night.  

Reportedly, Dr Milan Kaklotar, Dr Piyush Chauhan, Dr Naren Chaudhary, Dr Man Patel, Dr Abhiraj Parmar, and Dr Balbhadra abducted fellow interns Dr Aakash Karthiya and Dr Ishan Kotak near Swami Vivekananda Circle, forcing them into a car. 

The victims were taken to different locations in the city, where they were threatened, verbally abused, and brutally beaten.  

The accused later took the victims to Valbhipur Vadi, where Dr Balbhadra allegedly threatened to hang them upside down for two days. The victims were also forced to utter obscene words, and when they refused, they were beaten again. 

They were subjected to bizarre questioning, and incorrect answers led to further physical assault and death threats.  

For three hours, the two victims were held captive and then taken to the New Boys’ Hostel on Kalubha Road at around 2 am. There, another intern doctor, Dr Aman Shailesh Joshi, was woken up from his sleep and assaulted by Patel, Chaudhary, Balbhadra, and Kaklotar. They slapped him, hurled abuses, and threatened to kill him. Chaudhary was also forced to call himself ‘Narenbhai’ for life, humiliated, and had empty cigarette packs thrown at his face.  

Complaint and police action  

The three victims reported the entire incident in writing to the dean of Bhavnagar Medical College and were later admitted to Sir T Hospital for medical treatment. Meanwhile, Nilambagh police station registered two separate cases against six accused individuals for abduction, assault, verbal abuse, and issuing death threats.  

In response to the incident, a large number of medical students gathered at Sir T Hospital late at night to protest. The next day, at 1.30 pm, an emergency meeting of the anti-ragging committee was held at the medical college.

The meeting, attended by the college dean, the deputy superintendent of police (DySP), and other officials, resulted in the immediate suspension of four intern doctors involved in the crime. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Saturday to further address the case.  

Following the anti-ragging committee’s decision, intern doctors  Naren Chaudhary,  Milan Kaklotar, Man Patel, and Piyush Chauhan have been suspended with immediate effect. Furthermore, they will not be issued internship certificates or any other academic documents from the college.  

During the anti-ragging committee meeting, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest at the medical college, demanding strict action against those involved. They insisted on the immediate suspension of the accused and urged the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.  

Dr Ishan Karthik Kumar Kotak has filed a complaint at Nilambagh police station against Kaklotar, Chauhan, Chaudhary, Patel, Parmar, and Balbhadra, accusing them of abduction, assault, and issuing threats. Moreover, Joshi has also filed a complaint against Patel, Chaudhary, Balbhadra, and Kaklotar for verbal abuse, slapping, humiliation, and death threats.  

The police have registered two separate cases and have launched an investigation to apprehend the accused.

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