A Special Metropolitan Magistrate of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has handed down a swift verdict, sentencing three young men to two months of rigorous imprisonment for assaulting intern doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). The sentencing, confirmed on Thursday by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, follows an outbreak of violence in the hospital’s medicine department that left medical staff traumatised and services temporarily suspended.
The convicted individuals have been identified as Md. Shakib Hossain (25), Md. Shahriar Nazim Robin (21), and Imtiaz Ahammed (25). Following the court’s order, all three were immediately transported to prison to begin their sentences.
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The Genesis of the Violence
The incident began on the night of Wednesday, 21 January, following the admission of a critically ill patient, Lucky Begum (34). Despite the efforts of the medical team, she passed away at approximately 11:00 PM. In the emotional aftermath, the patient’s son, Rakib, alleged medical negligence—a claim that served as a catalyst for the ensuing chaos.
Prompted by these allegations, his friend Shakib reportedly summoned a mob of 20 to 30 young men to the hospital via telephone. This group forcibly entered the Medicine Department, where they subjected the on-duty doctors and nurses to verbal abuse before physically attacking two intern doctors.
Assault Summary and Legal Consequences
| Incident Detail | Data Point |
| Primary Location | Medicine Department, DMCH |
| Casualty Leading to Riot | Lucky Begum (Aged 34) |
| Arrested Convicts | Shakib Hossain, Shahriar Nazim Robin, Imtiaz Ahammed |
| Legal Penalty | 2 Months Rigorous Imprisonment |
| Security Response | Intervention by DMCH Police Camp & Hospital Security |
Security Breakdown and Restoration of Order
The assault triggered a state of panic throughout the hospital, forcing a temporary cessation of vital medical services as staff sought safety. Order was eventually restored after hospital security and police personnel intervened, apprehending the three primary agitators. While Shakib and his two companions were caught, the remaining members of the mob managed to flee the premises under the cover of the initial confusion.
A Firm Judicial Stance
The Special Metropolitan Magistrate took immediate cognisance of the charges brought against the trio. By delivering a verdict within 24 hours of the crime, the court has signaled a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence against healthcare workers. This “rigorous” sentence requires the convicts to perform hard labour during their incarceration, reflecting the severity with which the state views interference in emergency medical operations.
Hospital authorities have since reaffirmed their commitment to staff safety, though the incident has sparked renewed calls from the medical community for permanent, enhanced security measures within the nation’s largest public hospital.