In a dramatic incident in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district, a primary health centre (PHC) doctor ended up arrogantly questioning the Collector himself that who is he to demand an explanation from him at a COVID review meeting in Narsaraopeta.

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The trouble started when Somla Naik, Nadendla PHC doctor, told the district collector that some Coronavirus patients being turned away because of lack of beds. "After the review meeting, the collector was enquiring if any hurdles were being faced by the local people. He (Naik) said that they were facing problems as COVID patients were shifting, the hospitals were saying there were no beds, denying treatment to positive patients," the Guntur Rural Superintendent of Police told IANS.

Following Naik's feedback, the district collector got serious about the development as COVID deaths were increasing in the district. The district collector enquired about this data and admonished Naik that he should have been more forthcoming in offering treatment and told him that such a denial should not repeat. "In the heat of the moment, Naik got agitated and was questioning the collector nuvvu evaru (who are you?). I am a doctor, who are you? He was quite adamant," said the Guntur Rural Superintendent of Police.

Taken aback by a subordinate's rebellion, the district collector instructed officials to book a case against Naik. Later, the doctor was taken to a police station and asked what exactly happened. "He was taken to the DPS's office and we asked him what happened? What transpired?" said the IPS officer. However, on a positive note, the entire issue got easily sorted after Naik apologized to the district collector. "He went and apologized to the collector and the issue got resolved amicably," the Guntur Rural Superintendent of Police said.

No case was booked in the incident and the SP said the verbal spat happened in the spur of the moment when all were angry, videos of which went viral. The Guntur Rural Superintendent of Police said IPC Section 353 comes into play when a government official is hindered from discharging duty.