NEW DELHI: A 32-year-old man admitted as a patient at a hospital in the Shahdara area, was shot dead by a youth while the former was being treated at the hospital ward by the doctors, an official said on Sunday.
The deceased, identified as Riyazuddin, was receiving treatment for abdominal infection at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
Sharing details, DCP (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary said a PCR call regarding firing in ward No.24 was received at GTB Enclave police station following which the police immediately swung into action and reached the spot.
"At the hospital, the police found one deceased patient namely Riyazuddin, a resident of Khajuri, who was admitted in the hospital on June 23 for treatment of abdominal infection," the DCP said.
At around 4 pm on Sunday, a youth aged around 18 years came inside the ward and fired multiple shots towards Riyazuddin resulting in his death on the spot. The suspected person, who is yet to be identified, immediately fled from the scene before anyone could catch him.
Accordingly, based on the circumstances, the police registered a case of murder and launched a massive manhunt to nab the culprit.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has instructed all the officials to carry out a security review of all the hospitals following the brazen attack at GTB hospital. "Negligence will not be tolerated. Those who are found guilty will be strictly punished," the Minister said.
"Nobody else was injured. SHO of GTB Enclave, ACP and Crime Branch officers reached the crime scene after being informed by the CMO on duty," an official statement of the GTB hospital read.
A nurse, who was on duty and requested anonymity, said the teenager entered the ward at 3.59 pm and asked everyone to remain calm and not raise any alarm.
"The teen took out a pistol which he had concealed behind and shot the patient and ran away," she said.
The nurse said the sound of the gunshot drew a crowd outside the ward and one of them informed the police about the matter.
"It was scary for everyone who were inside the ward," she said.
The hospital RDA in a statement announced indefinite strike citing safety concerns.
"In response to a recent tragic incident within our hospital premises, where a patient was shot dead, the RDA has made the decision to commence an indefinite strike, from Monday," the statement read.
"This decision comes after repeated concerns regarding the safety and security of our workplace, which have not been adequately addressed by the Delhi Government.
"Despite previous appeals for enhanced security measures, the unfortunate event underscores a critical failure in ensuring a secure environment for both patients and healthcare providers," it added.
(With inputs from PTI)