Coimbatore Police have registered a case against office-bearers of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after they allegedly threatened doctors and obstructed medical work at Valparai Government Hospital following the treatment of a five-year-old boy injured in a leopard attack.
The child, identified as Deekshithan, suffered serious injuries in the attack on the evening of September 24 in the Upper Paralai Estate area of Valparai. Police said he was initially given first aid at Valparai Government Hospital before being referred to the Coimbatore Government Hospital for further treatment.
According to police, Valparai TVK town secretary Andrews and around 20 other people went to the government hospital later that night. The group allegedly argued with doctors Rajasekar and Madhupriya, questioned them about the treatment provided to the injured child and threatened them. Police also said the group obstructed the doctors from carrying out their duties.
The case was registered after Dr Rajasekar filed a complaint with Valparai Police. Police said six sections had been invoked, including provisions concerning threats to a government servant and offences under the Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act.
The incident places the conduct of emergency treatment in a government hospital at the centre of the police investigation. Valparai Government Hospital provided the child’s initial medical care before the referral to Coimbatore Government Hospital, according to the police account. The alleged confrontation took place after that transfer, when doctors at the local facility were still performing their duties.
The case also highlights the legal protections available to medical workers in Tamil Nadu when violence, threats or damage to healthcare institutions are alleged. The police account identifies the people named in the complaint and describes the allegations under investigation; registration of the case does not establish guilt.
Coimbatore Police have launched an investigation into the complaint. Further action will depend on the evidence collected by Valparai Police under the sections included in the case.
