It was mayhem at the Coimbatore General Hospital where a small group manhandled the Resident Medical Officer over the death of a patient.

According to hospital officials a person from Karamadi was admitted on May 11 after developing respiratory problems. Four days later he died and his body was kept in the mortuary. Since no relative came to claim the body, it was sent to the anatomy department.

But this morning two persons came to the hospital claiming that they were the sons of the deceased. Sensing something foul and to ensure that things were as per procedure, RMO Dr Saunder Vel asked them to submit necessary proof. A few hours later around 11.30 pm four to five people came into the chamber and started taking videos of the doctor on a mobile phone. The RMO objected to this, following which the group attacked him, hospital sources said.

Police was called and one of the persons was arrested. Hunt was on for the others.

Dr Saunder said he had a shock of his life and said that those who assaulted him used foul language.

Staff at the hospital as a part of expressing solidarity with the doctor held a protest. Another doctor Jaya Singh said that if the government did not take necessary action, doctors would go on a strike from tomorrow.