Slapped for Squirming: Child Injured During Eye Exam, Doctor Detained After Uproar in Choudhury Eye Clinic

A shocking incident unfolded on Monday (April 14) evening at Silchar’s Choudhury Eye Clinic, where a two-year-three-month-old child was allegedly slapped multiple times by eye specialist Dr Haimanti Choudhury during a check-up. The matter sparked public outrage and escalated into a full-blown protest, forcing the police to intervene and eventually detain the doctor for questioning.

According to reports, Sangita Saha and her husband took their toddler to the clinic around 6:30 PM after noticing signs of discomfort in the child’s eye. Speaking to the media, the mother said, “This (Monday) morning I saw his eye a little red and swollen, so on a doctor’s recommendation I put a few drops of an eye drop but that didn’t work and by the afternoon the eye was swollen. When I tried to see if anything was inside, I saw something stuck inside his eye. It’s about the eye so I didn’t want to risk it or pull it out myself. So I visited this doctor. When he was examining, my son slightly pushed her which enraged her and she slapped her 5 to 6 times in a single breath.”

Sources said Dr Haimanti Choudhury had called only the mother and the child inside her chamber and barred other family members from entering. During the consultation, when the child instinctively pushed away the doctor’s hand, she allegedly retaliated by slapping him repeatedly.

The child started crying in fear and pain, prompting the mother to confront the doctor. Instead of addressing the concern, the doctor allegedly began shouting, leading to a heated altercation.

The mother also alleged that the doctor had asked them to vacate her chamber as they won’t be able to afford her consultation charges.

As the situation spiralled, a large police team from Silchar Sadar Thana, including senior officials, arrived at the scene to control the crowd. The child’s family demanded a public apology from Dr Choudhury, but neither she nor the clinic’s administrator Dr P.K. Choudhury responded.

The police reportedly detained Dr Haimanti Choudhury last night for interrogation.

Speaking on the incident, Cachar SP Numal Mahatta said, “A case has been registered from both sides. As tensions were rising and there was a potential law and order situation developing, we brought the concerned doctor to the SP Office to prevent any untoward incident. Both parties were present and shared their grievances. The doctor also alleged that the patient party misbehaved with her. We advised them to either resolve the matter amicably or file a formal FIR. However, no FIR has been lodged so far.”

He further added that Dr Haimanti Choudhury was released after both parties held discussions. “The charges against her are bailable in nature. We have informed both sides that if an FIR is filed, we will take necessary action and initiate a proper investigation,” SP Mahatta concluded.