A strongman in Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav’s constituency on Thursday night whisked away a doctor unwilling to accompany an injured patient he had referred to Patna.

On Thursday night, Santosh Kumar, a physician, was on duty at the Sadar hospital’s emergency ward, when Manoj Yadav of Patarghat in Madhepura, a strongman, arrived with his wife Soni Kumari, who had reportedly slipped and suffered multiple head injuries.

In view of the nature of injuries, Santosh referred her to a neurosurgeon in Patna. But Soni’s husband and relatives, including strongman Pintu Yadav of Raibheer Shankarpur, asked Santosh to accompany the patient to Patna. Santosh declined and it led to a minor altercation.

Hospital deputy superintendent A.K. Verma said Pintu reached the hospital around 9pm, forced Santosh into his vehicle and sped towards Patna. Stunned doctors and para-medical staff struck work and closed the emergency ward.

They remained on strike on Friday, too. A delegation even met the district magistrate and police superintendent and handed over a memorandum.

Madhepura district magistrate Gopal Meena said he spoke to Santosh who said he had been set free and was on his way back. Meena said it was a grave crime and action would be taken once the doctor returned safely and his statement was recorded. “We will ensure security at the hospital to instil confidence among the doctors and employees,” he said.