After accusing Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar of mistreating a patient, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane ordered the immediate suspension of the Chief Medical Officer of the Casualty Department, Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, on June 7, 2025, after an unexpected visit at GMCH.
next the widespread dissemination of a video that showed Rane berating and threatening the physician, the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant decided to revoke the suspension the next day. This action was prompted by the criticism of the doctor by many medical societies.
Overview of the Incident
Dr. Kuttikar was challenged by Minister Rane in the casualty ward, where he verbally abused him and said that he would be suspended on the spot, as shown by CCTV and testimony from witnesses.
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A allegation that the doctor had sent a patient to an urban health center for an injection rather than delivering treatment at GMCH was the source of the altercation that took place. Although Rane subsequently justified his outburst by claiming that it was motivated by the wellbeing of the patient, he did not immediately apologize for his behavior.
The Reversal and the Apology
An apology was given by Rane to the general public on June 9, 2025, in response to criticism from opposition parties, as well as objections from the Indian Medical Association and members of the Goa Association of Resident Doctors.
He expressed apologies to the medical community and acknowledged that he realized that his tone might have been more calibrated. However, he continued to assert that his actions were meant to safeguard the interests of patients.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Provisions That Are Relevant to the Situation
There are various chapters in the BNS that deal with offenses committed by public officials as well as safeguards for public functionaries. It is important to note that:
Public servants who disregard the law with the aim to cause harm to any person are subject to the provisions of Section 196. When carrying out their duties, public servants who knowingly violate the requirements of the law in order to cause injury to another person may be subject to disciplinary action.
Interfering with the performance of public duties by a public official is the subject of Section 219. It is against the law to impede the performance of tasks by a public official, and there are consequences for those who fail to comply with this rule.
The phrase “threat of injury to public servant” is used in Section 222. Threatening a public worker with physical harm in order to dissuade them from performing their legal responsibilities is thus a criminal offense.
Evaluation of the Possibilities of Infractions
By publicly reprimanding and threatening Dr. Kuttikar, who is a public worker in his capacity as the Chief Medical Officer of the Casualty Department, Rane may have violated Section 222 of the National Security Act.
As a result of the power imbalance and the atmosphere of dread that such threats engender among medical personnel, his threats to suspend the doctor and his violent behavior might be seen as a “threat of injury.”
In addition, the quick suspension order that was issued to Rane, which did not follow the established disciplinary processes that are outlined in the rules of the Goa Medical Council, may be considered “disobeying law with intent to cause injury” in accordance with Section 196.
Due process was circumvented by his unilateral conduct, which may have resulted in Dr. Kuttikar suffering damage to his professional and professional reputation.
Last but not least, Rane’s actions may be considered behavior that falls outside the purview of Section 219 since they include challenging and impeding the doctor’s capacity to carry out his responsibilities in the trauma ward.
Because of his presence and his pronouncement, routine medical duties were disrupted, and the Chief Medical Officer and the team were unable to attend to other patients while the inspection was taking place.
Consequences Concerning the Law and Ethics
In the event that Rane is brought to justice, he may be subject to penalties that range from monetary fines to incarceration, depending on how the court interprets his intentions and the extent of the damage he caused.
In addition to the legal repercussions, the incident raises ethical problems about the use of executive authority over medical personnel and the protection of patient care via the appropriate administrative procedures.
By highlighting possible gaps between administrative zeal and legislative protections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the GMCH event brings to light the possibility for such inadequacies.
The framework that is provided by Sections 196, 219, and 222 allows for the determination of whether or not Rane’s activities went beyond the acceptable limits for a public worker. When it comes down to it, this case highlights how important it is for public authorities to adhere to procedural standards and respect the rights of frontline healthcare professionals when they intervene in clinical concerns.
