Varanasi: After an email alleging that a BHU doctor assaulted 85-year-old Padma Shri awardee and emeritus professor Dr TK Lahiri, along with a viral video showing a blood clot in his eye and facial injuries, prompted the university to set up a medical board to investigate the claims, leaders from the BJP, SP and Congress made a beeline to Sir Sunderlal Hospital, BHU, to enquire about his health.As a representative of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, UP minister Ravindra Jaiswal visited Dr Lahiri on Sunday evening and directed university officials to constitute a joint team comprising university personnel, district administration officials and police to ensure an impartial investigation into the allegations. During his interaction with the minister, Dr Lahiri clearly denied that any untoward incident had taken place with him.Jaiswal spoke to the doctors treating the octogenarian and sought details about his condition and ongoing treatment. The minister directed doctors and the BHU administration to ensure that there is no lapse in his treatment.Before Jaiswal, former minister and SP functionary Ribu Srivastava and Congress city president Raghvendra Chaubey also visited Dr Lahiri. BHU has termed the allegation baseless following an internal inquiry by a medical board.On Monday morning, Dr Lahiri spoke to his sister’s family through a video call. His family expressed satisfaction with the university’s role in the entire episode and the care being provided to Lahiri.Senior student leader Ashutosh Singh Yishu, who was also among the recipients of the email sent by Lahiri’s niece to BHU vice-chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, IMS-BHU director Dr SN Sankhwar and others alleging that he had been assaulted by the treating doctor, visited Lahiri and arranged his interaction with his sister Rita and her husband.“Dr Lahiri’s family members had contacted us through email, and the email was also addressed/copied to the vice-chancellor. Considering the family’s concern, I met him today and also arranged a video call with his family members so that they could directly speak to him and know about his well-being,” Ashutosh said.A video of Lahiri’s conversation of less than a minute with his sister and brother-in-law, shared by Ashutosh, showed the veteran doctor laughing loudly while referring to his brother-in-law as, “Ye hamare ghar ka sabse chhota damad hai” (he is the youngest son-in-law of our family). His brief conversation and expressions made those present in the ward emotional.Later, Lahiri’s niece, who had raised the complaint, sent another email to the same recipients at 10.11 am on Monday, thanking the BHU VC, IMS director, medical superintendent and hospital administration for taking care of him.In the email, the family mainly requested the university administration to ensure Prof Lahiri’s safety and prevent any recurrence of such incident; conduct an impartial and serious inquiry into the matter; ensure proper medical examination and treatment in view of his health and injuries, especially on the face and head; immediately inform family members about any such incident in future; and establish a fixed contact arrangement so that the family receives regular updates on his health. The family also urged people to avoid public comments that could affect the dignity and reputation of a senior and respected doctor.Lahiri was admitted to Sir Sunderlal Hospital on Jan 27, 2026, with chest-related complaints and has since been under continuous care and treatment by doctors and hospital staff. In the email, his niece blamed a doctor for assaulting and abusing him inside the ward where he was being treated in the super-speciality block of SSL Hospital. Photographs of Lahiri with marks of injury on his cheek and a blood-clotted eye also went viral on social media.On Sept 3, the medical superintendent ordered a comprehensive examination of Lahiri by specialists from cardiology, general medicine, psychiatry, geriatrics, neurology, critical care, and tuberculosis and chest diseases. Based on the findings of the investigation by this team, SSL Hospital’s MS Dr Punit termed the allegations of assault or misconduct baseless.Lahiri, revered as “Doctor God” for his selflessness, retired from the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU, in 2003, but continued to provide free medical consultation to patients. He regularly walked from home to the super speciality block OPD. Lahiri, revered for his dedication to service, is known for donating a large part of his pension, refusing assistance and teaching generations of students. He is also a familiar figure on campus, often seen heading to his workplace from the VC Lodge in his apron, carrying an umbrella in one hand and a black bag in the other.He was awarded the Padma Sri in 2016 in recognition of his contribution to society and the medical profession.
