The incident took place in the wee hours today when SI Kashmira Singh, allegedly in an inebriated state, arrived at the Karnal civil hospital, about 130 kilometres from here with his relative, police said.
Singh asked Dr Nipun Kalra to issue a fake medical report in favour of his relative and when Kalra did not pay any heed to him, the accused shot at the doctor using his service revolver, they said.
Sources said other police personnel on duty at the hospital made no attempt to nab the accused SI, who managed to flee.
"Kashmir Singh was drunk and according to eyewitness accounts, used abusive language against the doctor. He opened fire, but it hit a glass pane. He escaped from the scene soon after the incident," Karnal's Deputy Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh said over phone.
A case has been registered against the accused SI, who was arrested later in the day.
Meanwhile, doctors posted at the hospital protested against the incident and demanded the police picket inside the hospital premises be shifted out.