Maharashtra: 17 Shiv Sainik Booked After Doctor, Hospital Staff Assaulted In Palghar
The dispute followed the admission of five members of a Govinda troupe who were injured while forming a human pyramid during a Dahi Handi celebration on Saturday: Reports
MUMBAI: In yet another case of attack on medical professionals by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena office bearers, doctors and hospital staff in Palghar were allegedly assaulted over a dispute on medical treatment expenses of Govindas. The incident took place past midnight on Sunday.
Based on the CCTV footage, the Palghar police have booked 17 people including Shiv Sena’s Palghar district chief Kundan Sankhe, MLA Rajendra Gavit’s son Rohit Gavit and city chief Rahul Gharat.
According to police, the complaint filed by the administration of Relief Hospital alleges that doctors and staff were abused during the confrontation, a staff member was slapped and threats were made to damage the facility.
The dispute followed the admission of five members of a Govinda troupe who were injured while forming a human pyramid during a Dahi Handi celebration on Saturday. One of the injured members had suffered head and spine injuries. Doctors recommended a CT scan and further treatment, putting the estimated cost at around Rs 20,000.
However, the organisers questioned the need for the scan and sought the patient’s discharge. A receptionist who tried to intervene was seen being slapped on CCTV visuals. Some members of the group entered the intensive care unit (ICU) and asked patients to leave, prompting concerns about the safety of people receiving treatment there. The hospital staff also alleged that the mob threatened a nurse in the ICU, removed the IV drip of an injured Govinda and took him away from the hospital.
The investigation is ongoing, with the police examining CCTV footage and gathering other evidence related to the incident, said police.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law. NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said, “The details indicate this was not a spontaneous outburst but organised hooliganism born out of arrogance of power.”
“Power is meant to serve the public, not to spread fear in hospitals. A party post is not a license to take the law into one’s hands. Shiv Sena workers appear to be operating under the mistaken impression that they are untouchable because they are in power and the silence of the party leadership is only encouraging this behaviour,” he added.
Describing the incident as ‘shameful,’ Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil said, “This is hooliganism by Mahayuti politicians. They don’t believe in law. In Palghar, they have beaten a receptionist. I am told even doctors were assaulted. It is unacceptable. When will there be accountability?”
However, Sankhe has denied the allegations, saying the dispute stemmed from the hospital's refusal to discharge members of the Govinda troupe who had suffered minor injuries. According to him, the functionaries had gone to the hospital to address the treatment and discharge of the patients.
In July, a Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at a civic hospital in Dombivali. The Supreme Court earlier this month refused to grant bail to him saying individuals who attack doctors should not be granted bail, noting that such mob assaults can cause significant mental trauma.
