📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Varunesh Chandra (Born Sambalpur, Odisha, India)
Crime
Health Dept. Sacks Superintendent, Two Doctors Over Journalist Assault at Saharsa Hospital
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 07:45 AM
👁 12
On September 12, a Digital News reporter was beaten and CCTV footage deleted at Saharsa Sadar Hospital, leading the Bihar health department to remove the in‑charge superintendent and two doctors.
Saharsa, Bihar – The Bihar health department has taken decisive action after a journalist from Digital News was physically assaulted inside Saharsa Sadar Hospital on September 12. The reporter also alleged that the hospital staff erased CCTV recordings of the incident, raising concerns about tampering with evidence.
Following an internal inquiry, the department dismissed the hospital's in‑charge superintendent along with two attending doctors who were identified as being involved in the assault. The officials were relieved of their duties pending further investigation.
The health ministry issued a statement emphasizing zero tolerance for violence against media personnel and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding press freedom. An official inquiry has been launched to determine the full extent of the misconduct and to recommend additional disciplinary measures if required.
The incident has sparked criticism from journalist bodies, who called for stricter safeguards for reporters covering public institutions. The department has assured that any further violations will attract stringent penalties.
No arrests have been reported yet, but the removed officials are expected to appear before a departmental inquiry panel in the coming days.
Following an internal inquiry, the department dismissed the hospital's in‑charge superintendent along with two attending doctors who were identified as being involved in the assault. The officials were relieved of their duties pending further investigation.
The health ministry issued a statement emphasizing zero tolerance for violence against media personnel and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding press freedom. An official inquiry has been launched to determine the full extent of the misconduct and to recommend additional disciplinary measures if required.
The incident has sparked criticism from journalist bodies, who called for stricter safeguards for reporters covering public institutions. The department has assured that any further violations will attract stringent penalties.
No arrests have been reported yet, but the removed officials are expected to appear before a departmental inquiry panel in the coming days.