“Why nine accused in Palghar doctor assault case absconding?”: Bombay HC raps police
A Bombay HC Bench comprising Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata was hearing a suo-motu case alleging that the police had failed to conduct an investigation in the Palghar medical staff assault case. File | Photo credit: Emmanual Yogini
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) pulled up the Palghar police for laxity in investigating a case against Shiv Sena workers for assaulting medical staff and vandalizing a private hospital in the district.
A Bombay HC Bench comprising Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata heard the case suo-motu alleging that the police did not investigate the case.
A day earlier, the Bombay HC had ordered to summon the Palghar Superintendent of Police over allegations of inaction against Shiv Sena workers. Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh informed the court that among the 10 accused named in the FIR, Shiv Sena city chief Rahul Gharat has been arrested while the rest are absconding.
In response, the court asked, “Why was there no immediate arrest? It is because of the laxity of the police that the accused are absconding.”
The court termed the police action as “unacceptable” and noted that the police had not learned from the previous incident in July when a doctor was assaulted at the Thane Dombivli District Public Hospital.
In both the Palghar doctor assault case and the Thane case, Shiv Sena officials were accused. In the Thane case, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested.
Court said: “Wasn’t the Thane incident enough to teach the police a lesson?” The court also advised the Palghar police to hand over the case to the Mumbai police’s crime branch if they were unable to act.
On the night of September 5, Shiv Sena workers, MLA Rajendra Gavit’s son and taluka deputy head Rohit Gavit allegedly assaulted the staff at Palghar Auxiliary Hospital over expensive treatment. The incident was flagged during the hearing of the suo motu case in the Thane incident.
Published – 10 Sep 2026 03:09 IST