Stiff Stance by Health Minister Nishant Kumar, Missing Principal Penalized Sparks Huge Controversy
A major administrative and political storm has erupted at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), one of the largest healthcare facilities in the country. A surprise inspection and the subsequent heavy-handed action taken by the newly appointed Health Minister of Bihar, Nishant Kumar, has sent shockwaves through the entire medical fraternity.
The high-profile drama unfolded during a scheduled inauguration and surprise inspection at PMCH on June 23, 2026. The absolute apex authority of the hospital, In-Charge Principal Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh, was found missing from his duty. Expressing deep displeasure, the Health Minister stated unequivocally:
"The Principal was fully informed in advance that I would be visiting PMCH on June 23 for an inspection and event. He knew everything, yet he chose to remain absent. He did not even bother to inform anyone why he was not coming, nor did he delegate the official charge to anyone else."
The Afternoon of June 23: What Happened at PMCH?
On the afternoon of June 23, Health Minister Nishant Kumar arrived at PMCH accompanied by Health Secretary Kumar Ravi and other top bureaucrats. The minister inaugurated a new radiology department, reviewed the medicine stockroom, and visited various wards to speak directly with patients and their families. Several patients complained to the minister about the unavailability of free medicines and the uncooperative attitude of some junior doctors and nurses.
However, the real trouble began when the Health Minister called a high-level review meeting in the administrative block and noticed that the Principal’s chair was empty.
Upon inquiry, the Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Rajiv Singh, and other present officials failed to provide a satisfactory answer.
Under the minister's direction, officials repeatedly dialed the Principal's mobile number, but the calls went completely unanswered.
Annoyed by this blatant lack of accountability during official hours, the Health Minister immediately hinted at strict disciplinary consequences.
Action Within 48 Hours: Transferred to Bettiah and Relieved of Charge
Exactly 48 hours after the incident, the Health Department issued a stern administrative order. The department stripped Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh of his additional charge as the In-Charge Principal of PMCH with immediate effect.
In his place, Dr. Gita Sinha was appointed as the new Principal of PMCH.
As a punitive measure, Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh was transferred out of Patna to the Government Medical College, Bettiah, under the Department of Psychiatry.
The official probe report by the Health Department alleged that Dr. Singh was missing on June 23 without any prior notification or sanctioned casual leave. His failure to appoint an acting in-charge derailed the administrative functions of the hospital during a VIP visit, which was categorized as "gross negligence, dereliction of duty, and unauthorized absence."
Bodyguard's Shocking Revelation: "Sir Was Seeing Patients at His Private Clinic"
The controversy took an even sharper turn when the statement of Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh’s official police bodyguard, Constable Sanjeet Kumar (Badge No. 2317), came to light.
The bodyguard revealed that on Tuesday, June 23, he had reached the doctor's residence at 9:30 AM as usual. From there, the doctor went to his private clinic around 11:00 AM and continuously treated private patients until 6:00 PM. Furthermore, investigators found that the official government vehicle assigned to the Principal was parked outside his private clinic all day, pointing to a blatant misuse of government resources for personal gain.
Retaliation by the Former Principal: "My Abdomen Was Burned; This is Dictatorship"
Following his sudden removal and transfer, the former Principal did not stay silent. On June 26, Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh called a packed press conference where he emotionally lifted his shirt in front of the media cameras to display a severely blistered and burned abdomen.
Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh’s Core Arguments:
Victim of an Accident: He explained, "Just before the scheduled inspection, while preparing tea, boiling water accidentally spilled over my abdomen. I was severely injured and on strict bed rest. I am not a criminal who would deliberately run away and hide."
Dictatorial Approach: Dr. Singh expressed profound grief, stating that the Health Department and the Minister took drastic punitive action without seeking an official explanation or issuing a show-cause notice, which violates the basic principles of natural justice and humiliates a senior medical professional.
Offer to Resign: He added that in an environment where his 24 to 30 years of dedicated service as a professor are utterly disrespected, he has no desire to continue. Appealing to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for justice, he stated he is ready to take voluntary retirement or tender his resignation.
Social Media and Political Backlash
The ongoing spat has sparked a polarizing debate across Bihar's political and social spectrum.
| Perspective | Core Arguments & Public Sentiment |
|---|---|
| In Support of the Health Minister | The general public and social media users have widely lauded Health Minister Nishant Kumar's swift action. Citizens argue that such "shock therapy" is desperately needed to curb the deep-rooted culture of senior government doctors running lucrative private practices during official hours. |
| In Support of the Doctor | Conversely, several medical associations and doctors' bodies argue that if a senior doctor was genuinely injured in a domestic accident, skipping a show-cause notice entirely bypasses administrative decorum and denies the individual a fair hearing. |
The unyielding stance of Health Minister Nishant Kumar sends a loud and clear message across Bihar: administrative laxity will no longer be tolerated, regardless of how influential an official might be. Staying absent without notice and ignoring official communications will now invite severe penalties. The "Principal Incident" at PMCH is set to serve as a strong precedent for government doctors across all state-run hospitals in Bihar.
