Shiv Sena workers allegedly assault doctors, hospital staff in Palghar, police file complaint | Today’s news
A fresh controversy involving political workers has emerged in Maharashtra where doctors and hospital staff in Palghar were allegedly assaulted and threatened by Shiv Sena officials. During the incident, one of the political workers allegedly slapped the receptionist and threatened the female employee after they tried to intervene.
Here is what happened
According to NDTV, the incident took place on the intervening night of Saturday to Sunday at the Auxiliary Hospital for the discharge of “Govinda”. Devotees of Krishna who participate in the ‘Dahi Handi’ tradition on the occasion of Janmashtami are known as ‘Góvindas’.
The dispute reportedly erupted over the medical expenses of the Govindas, who were injured while participating in a ‘Dahi Handi’ event, with members of the group expressing anger after being asked to foot a bill of ₹19,866 at the time of release.
After the bill was handed over to them by the hospital staff, a heated argument ensued, with the Shiv Sena workers allegedly verbally abusing, threatening and assaulting the staff present at the time.
According to the complaint filed by hospital employee Kundan Sankhe, Shiv Sena district chief, city chief Rahul Gharat and others entered the emergency room and started arguing with the doctors. CCTV footage later showed one of them slapping a receptionist who tried to intervene.
Separately, some of the workers also made it to the intensive care unit (ICU), a restricted area to prevent contamination. The hospital staff claimed that a nurse who was present in the ICU removed the IV of the injured ‘Govinda’ and took him out of the hospital.
A case was registered by the Palghar police under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and the Medical Services Protection Act. At least 17 people have been named in the case, including Sankhe, Gharat and Rohit Gavit, son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit.
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining CCTV footage and gathering further evidence relating to the incident.
A hospital ambush causes outrage
Calling the incident “shameful”, Congress president Atul Londhe Patil said, “This is hooliganism by Mahayuti politicians. They don’t believe in law. Receptionists were beaten up in Palghar. I am told doctors were also attacked. This is unacceptable. When will he be held accountable?”
The incident also drew criticism from the medical fraternity in Palghar, which has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of doctors amid several incidents of attacks on health professionals over the years.
In a separate incident, the Supreme Court earlier this month refused to grant bail to a Shiv Sena corporator who was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting a female doctor at a city hospital in Thane. The court observed that individuals who assault doctors should not be granted bail, noting that such mob attacks can cause significant mental trauma.
