A tragic incident at one of Rawalpindi's major healthcare facilities resulted in the death of a patient's attendant following a physical altercation with a security guard. The event, which unfolded on Thursday, has led to serious legal consequences and raised questions about security protocols within hospital premises.
Altercation Leads to Tragedy
The unfortunate episode occurred at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH). According to the police report, the victim, identified as Waqas, had visited the hospital with his brother, Muhammad Rashid, for their mother's medical check-up. After the consultation was completed, the brothers were leaving the facility. Waqas went to the parking area to retrieve their motorcycle, where the confrontation took place.
The security guard on duty, named as Ehteshamul Haq, allegedly started a verbal argument with Waqas. The situation quickly escalated from words to physical violence. The guard is accused of striking Waqas in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The FIR states that the guard then proceeded to deliver more blows to Waqas's chest and upper body.
Sequence of Events and Police Action
As family members arrived at the scene, the accused security guard reportedly fled. Waqas, who had become unwell after the assault, was rushed back into the Holy Family Hospital for emergency medical attention. Despite being shifted to the emergency ward, he could not survive and later passed away.
On the formal complaint of the deceased's brother, Muhammad Rashid, the police initiated legal proceedings. A case has been registered against security guard Ehteshamul Haq under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, pertaining to qatl-bil-sabab (unintentional homicide). This step was taken following a post-mortem examination of the body.
Police officials clarified that no weapon was used during the scuffle. The initial medical assessment pointed towards a possible cardiac arrest as the cause of death. However, to determine the exact circumstances, post-mortem samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Agency for detailed chemical analysis. The investigation is ongoing to piece together the complete narrative of the event.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
This incident has cast a shadow over the Holy Family Hospital, highlighting potential issues in the management and conduct of its security personnel. The registration of a serious charge like qatl-bil-sabab indicates the gravity with which law enforcement is treating the case.
The death of a family member who was simply attending to a patient has sparked concern and outrage. It underscores the critical need for proper training and conflict de-escalation techniques for security staff, especially in high-stress environments like hospitals. The findings from the forensic report will be crucial in determining the final legal course of action against the accused guard.
