Panaji, Sep 7 (IANS) Shiv Sena Chief leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday took serious cognisance of the incident involving the mistreatment of doctors at a private hospital in Palghar and announced the suspension and expulsion of Shiv Sena City Chief Rahul Gharat from the party in connection with the incident.
He was speaking to reporters following the Western Zonal Council meeting held in Goa.
Deputy chief Minister Shinde described the Palghar incident as “extremely unfortunate”.
He said that assaulting doctors or other staff members is inappropriate and that Shiv Sena will not condone such incidents.
“If any wrongdoing had occurred regarding a patient, the proper course of action was to file a legal complaint.”
“Taking the law into one’s own hands is not justified, and Shiv Sena will not support such actions,” the Deputy CM added.
He announced that Rahul Gharat, the Shiv Sena City Chief, involved in the assault would be suspended and expelled from the party.
He also warned party workers that assaulting doctors would not be tolerated under any circumstances and would not be supported by Shiv Sena.
Deputy CM Shinde’s move comes after the Palghar police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 17 individuals, for allegedly storming a private healthcare facility, verbally abusing doctors, assaulting staff, and forcibly removing a patient from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The incident occurred at the Relief Hospital in Palghar.
According to police and hospital officials, the dispute began after five members of a Govinda troupe—injured while forming human pyramids during Dahi Handi celebrations—were brought to the facility for emergency medical care.
Three patients were treated on an outpatient (OPD) basis, while two others required admission due to head and spine injuries.
One of the injured, 19-year-old Omkar Kalwadkar, was admitted to the ICU under observation following a head injury and loss of consciousness.
Tensions flared when a mob led by local political functionaries questioned the necessity of the diagnostic scans (including CT and MRI scans) and demanded the immediate discharge of the patients without settling the outstanding medical bills totaling around Rs 19,866.
Hospital Director Vishal Godgikarkar said that despite granting a 20 per cent concession on the bill, the group refused to pay and became aggressive.
CCTV footage from the facility captured a group of Shiv Sena workers barging into the hospital’s Emergency department and restricted areas.
The mob allegedly verbally abused on-duty physician Lijimol, issued threats to demolish the facility, and slapped a 23-year-old billing receptionist, Vivek Babulinga, when he attempted to intervene.
Members of the group subsequently entered the ICU, threatened the nursing staff, forcibly disconnected an IV drip from a patient under observation, and removed him from the hospital premises without medical authorisation.
Following a formal complaint by the hospital management, the Palghar Police Station registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act.
Charges include unlawful assembly, criminal trespass, criminal intimidation, and assault on medical personnel.
Among the 17 key accused named in the FIR are Kundan Sankhe, Shiv Sena Palghar District Chief; Rahul Gharat, Shiv Sena Palghar City Chief; and Rohit Gavit, son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit.
Investigation officer Sub-Inspector Vinayak Kesarkar confirmed that authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and gathering statements.
While accused district chief Kundan Sankhe denied the assault allegations—claiming they had only visited the hospital to address patient discharge concerns—the incident has sparked widespread condemnation from political opposition and medical associations.
Spokespersons for opposition parties, including the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Congress, categorised the assault as “organised hooliganism” under political patronage.
Healthcare professionals in the region have voiced deep safety concerns over recurring instances of medical staff intimidation, demanding strict law enforcement and preventive measures to ensure hospital security.
–IANS
sj/khz