A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday for the alleged murder of a 55-year-old doctor at a private nursing home in Delhi. The shocking incident took place at Nima Hospital in the Kalindi Kunj area, where Dr. Javed Akhtar, a practitioner of Unani medicine, was fatally shot on Wednesday night. The teenager, accompanied by a friend who remains at large, reportedly carried out the attack after an argument over treatment charges.
First-Aid Treatment Turns Deadly
The teenager visited the three-bed Nima Hospital with his friend, seeking first-aid treatment for an injury. According to hospital staff, the boy had injured his toe and had come to the hospital the previous night for treatment. Upon their arrival, the two boys asked for a change of dressing, and after receiving it, they requested a prescription. They were then directed to Dr. Akhtar’s cabin.
What followed shocked the nursing staff and quickly turned deadly. Moments after the boys entered the doctor’s office, staff members Gazala Parveen and Mohammad Kamil heard a gunshot. They rushed to the room only to find Dr. Akhtar bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head.
Alleged Motive and Social Media Post
According to police reports, the teenager allegedly shot Dr. Akhtar in a fit of anger, claiming that the doctor had overcharged him for the treatment. The minor reportedly felt aggrieved over the cost of the services provided. After the incident, the boy allegedly posted a photo of himself on social media with the caption, “Kar diya 2024 mein murder” (finally committed murder in 2024), further drawing attention to his actions.
The police quickly launched an investigation, recovering the firearm used in the crime. Authorities are now searching for the boy’s friend, who has not yet been located. Both teenagers are believed to be from the same locality, and police are using CCTV footage from the hospital to aid in identifying and capturing the second suspect.
Hospital Staff and Witnesses Questioned
Authorities have questioned hospital staff, including a female nurse and her husband, to gather more information about the incident. Investigators are considering the possibility that the boys had visited the hospital earlier for reconnaissance before committing the crime. The CCTV footage from the hospital is being reviewed to determine the sequence of events and the involvement of the second suspect, who remains at large.
Rising Concerns Over Healthcare Worker Safety
The murder of Dr. Akhtar has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s medical community, raising concerns about the safety of healthcare workers. The incident comes just two months after a similar case in Kolkata, where a doctor on night duty was raped and murdered at a state-run hospital. That brutal crime sparked nationwide protests by doctors, who demanded stronger security measures and protection for healthcare professionals.
The escalating violence against medical staff in India has become a major concern, with healthcare workers frequently facing verbal and physical abuse from patients or their families. This latest incident has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by those in the medical field, especially in smaller private facilities that may lack adequate security measures.
Police Investigation Ongoing
As the investigation unfolds, police continue to search for the second teenager involved in the attack. The arrested minor is currently in police custody, and charges are being prepared against him. The weapon used in the murder has been recovered, and authorities are focusing on gathering additional evidence to build a strong case.
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