Junior doctor at AIIMS Rishikesh booked for 'distributing sweets' day after Pahalgam attack: Report

The junior doctor had come back to work on April 8 after celebrating Eid with his family. After a nursing staff requested him for sweets and biryani on April 23, he ordered food and sweets.

A doctor at AIIMS Rishikesh was booked for allegedly distributing sweets in the hospital on April 23, a day after the deadly Pahalgam attack.

On April 22, terrorists had killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam.

As per a report by The Times Of India, the 27-year-old junior doctor, originally from West Bengal, has been booked and charged "with promoting enmity between different groups" after he distributed sweets.

A complaint against the junior doctor was filed by Rishikesh district president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rajendra Pandey. He alleged the act "hurt people's sentiments" and suspected it to be "celebration".

Quoting Pandey, the publication stated that the junior doctor said he was distributing sweets on the occasion of Eid. The sweets were distributed to nursing staff in trauma centre's emergency room.

Pandey alleged that the doctor distributed sweets were for Eid, but Eidthe festival had passed a month ago.

Following this, VHP held a demonstration at the hospital and sought action against the junior doctor, Pandey told TOI.

Naresh Uniyal, a member of Bajrang Dal, said that they informed the CM's office, wrote to the DGP about the act and said it "reflected anti national sentiment".

Speaking to TOI, the doctor said the allegations against him are "baseless" and "hurtful". He had come back to work on April 8 after celebrating Eid with his family. After a nursing staff requested him for sweets and biryani on April 23, he ordered food and sweets.

"Some didn't eat, but most enjoyed it," he said.

On April 25, the junior doctor was told about the "rumours" that were being talked about at the hospital, which he denied and informed his seniors.

"I confronted the person suspected of spreading the rumour, but he denied it," he told the publication.

Expressing that the case has caused him "immense stress" he added that a formal case was filed against him, about which he learned after returning home.

The junior doctor returned to his home after he was advised by his seniors and is planning to lodged a case of defamation.