Comedian Sunil Pal about a fortnight ago posted a video on social media in which he said that doctors dressed in “demon suit” scare covid patients from morning till evening and by end of the day the person dies of fear. He also said in the video that these doctors are thieves who do not care for poor people. The comedian has been booked for doing so.
On 4th May, Andheri police registered a FIR against Indian comedian and actor Sunil Pal based on a complaint filed by Dr Sushmita Bhatnagar. The 55 year old doctor who is the president of the Association of Medical Consultants (Mumbai) was in her Andheri office on April 20 when she came across the defamatory video by Sunil.
In her complaint, Dr. Bhatnagar said, “For posting defamatory speech on social media claiming that 90% of doctors are thieves who are taking advantage of the Covid situation and are looting poor people on the pretext of treatment. He also made allegations that 90% of doctors have worn the attire of demon. They are a child of demons. They scare the patients in the PPE attire they wear and by evening the person dies. He also made an allegation through the video posted saying that doctors are involved in human organ scam.”
On Thursday, Sunil broke his silence on the matter and told TOI, “I have also put another video apologising if anyone has got hurt with the video. But I still stand by my comments because doctors were considered as God. During these tough times, poor people are made to suffer and I have mentioned in the video 90% of doctors are dressed in demons and the rest there are still 10% doctors who are doing their duty to serve people. There is no need for doctors to get hurt if they are serving and doing their duty sincerely. Also, I did not get any notice from the police so far.”
Andheri police senior inspector Vijay Belge confirmed the FIR filed against the comedian. Though no arrest has been made, however, Sunil has been booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 500 (defamation) and 505 (2) (public mischief).
An officer said that action will be initiated after collection of evidence.