PGIMER Director orders free treatment for 6-year-old Panchkula assault victim
Synopsis
PGIMER Director Professor Vivek Lal has ordered fully free treatment and a private room for a critically injured six-year-old girl allegedly assaulted by a classmate at a Panchkula school on 28 October — a rare direct intervention by the institute's top official that underscores the severity of the child's condition and the public attention the case has drawn.
Key Takeaways
PGIMER Director Professor Vivek Lal personally visited the six-year-old assault victim on 1 November 2026 .
The Director ordered that the child's entire medical treatment be provided free of cost , with all expenses borne by PGIMER .
The institute has provided the child a private room for comfort and privacy during her hospital stay.
The girl was allegedly assaulted by an eight-year-old boy inside a classroom at a Panchkula school on 28 October .
A multidisciplinary team of specialists is currently monitoring the child's condition at PGIMER, Chandigarh .
The Director will personally monitor the child's treatment and care going forward, according to officials.
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Director Professor Vivek Lal on 1 November 2026 visited a six-year-old girl receiving specialised treatment at the Chandigarh institute, following an alleged assault inside a classroom at a Panchkula school on 28 October. In a humanitarian gesture, Professor Lal ordered that the child's entire medical treatment be provided free of cost, with all expenses borne by the institute.
What the Director's Visit Covered
During the visit, Professor Lal met with the treating physicians to assess the child's medical condition and recovery progress. He expressed deep concern over the incident and personally assured the family that PGIMER would extend every possible assistance throughout the treatment period. According to officials, the Director will continue to personally monitor the child's care.
Support Extended to the Family
Beyond waiving all medical expenses, the institute has allocated a private room for the child to ensure comfort, privacy, and appropriate care during her hospital stay. Professor Lal stated that the responsibility of PGIMER extends beyond clinical treatment and includes standing alongside patients and their families during difficult times. He reaffirmed the institute's commitment to providing the best possible medical care and all necessary institutional support.
Background: The Panchkula School Incident
The girl was brought to PGIMER with critical injuries after she was allegedly assaulted by an eight-year-old boy inside her classroom at a school in Panchkula on 28 October. She was subsequently referred to the premier medical institute in Chandigarh for specialised care. The child is currently being treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists who are closely monitoring her condition and providing all necessary medical attention.
Institutional Response and What Comes Next
The institute has assured the family of continued medical and institutional support for the duration of the child's treatment. The PGIMER Director's direct involvement signals the gravity with which the institution is treating the case. The incident has drawn attention to child safety protocols in schools in the Panchkula district, with authorities yet to make formal statements on any wider policy response.
Point of View
But the harder accountability question — how this happened and what systemic safeguards failed — remains unanswered.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the six-year-old girl at the Panchkula school?
A six-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by an eight-year-old boy inside her classroom at a school in Panchkula on 28 October. She sustained critical injuries and was referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh for specialised treatment.
What did PGIMER Director Professor Vivek Lal announce during his visit?
Professor Vivek Lal ordered that the child's entire medical treatment be provided free of cost, with all expenses borne by PGIMER. He also arranged a private room for her and assured the family of continued institutional support.
What is the current medical condition of the child at PGIMER?
The child is currently being treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists at PGIMER, Chandigarh, who are closely monitoring her condition. The institute has not released a detailed prognosis publicly.
Who is Professor Vivek Lal?
Professor Vivek Lal is the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, one of India's premier public medical institutions. He personally intervened in this case to ensure free treatment and direct oversight of the child's care.
What support is PGIMER providing to the child's family?
PGIMER is covering all medical expenses, providing a private room, and offering continued institutional support to the family. The Director has committed to personally monitoring the child's treatment progress.
