A handshake and an embrace on Tuesday marked an end to the Dec 22 assault case at Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) involving sacked senior resident Dr Raghav Narula and patient Arjun Panwar. Narula and Panwar, in the office of CM’s principal media adviser Naresh Chauhan, apologised to each other and to the people of Himachal Pradesh for the inconvenience caused due to their scuffle, which resulted in a doctors’ strike across the state. Chauhan termed the episode unfortunate, adding that dialogue had helped resolve the issue. In a public gesture of reconciliation, the doctor and the patient shook hands and embraced, stating that the scuffle unfolded suddenly and without prior intent. Narula’s mother emphasised unity, saying both the doctor and the patient were like her children. Panwar thanked Himachal govt and the public for their support and expressed regret for the disruption caused. He also light-heartedly mentioned attending Narula’s upcoming wedding, if invited. Panwar’s father credited CM Sukhu for ensuring justice and welcomed the peaceful resolution.
