Doctor slaps 'possessed' woman to revive her in Rajasthan; Minister removes him

In a shocking incident, a doctor at Barmer district in Rajasthan, allegedly slapped a woman patient to bring her to consciousness. Within few hours after the video became viral on social media sites, the doctor was removed and put under awaiting posting order (APO) status.

According to the doctor, the patient Bhawna, 31 year old of Sondri village was ‘possessed’ and slapping her was the only way to bring her back to consciousness.

According to the husband of the patient, she fainted on Wednesday afternoon and family members took her to the nearby hospital. "She was unwell from last couple of days and was unconsious when we brought her to the hospital on Thursday evening" the woman's husband Bhakar Singh said. She was later discharged after primary treatment.

The hospital officials said that Dr Surendra Bahri, instead of using a medical procedure to revive the woman, slapped her when he was told by her family members that she was possessed by evil spirits.

Speaking to the DH, Hemraj, Superintendent of the Barmer district hospital, said, "When the matter was reported to us by media persons, we instantly set up a three-member committee which will inquire the incident. The report submitted by the committee will be forwarded to the directorate of medical and health in Jaipur. They will further decide the course of action to be taken".

However taking an instant cognizance, even before the arrival of report, Health minister Kalicharan Saraf ordered to remove the doctor and put him under Awaited Posting Order status.

"As per the directions of Mr. Saraf, the doctor has been put under APO with immediate effect. He has been asked to report Jaipur headquarters within 24 hours." Dr O P Thakan, Additional Director (Administration), medial and health department confirmed. However, no formal complaint has been lodged by the family members of the woman.