Police have registered a case against 17 people, including Shiv Sena's Palghar district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat and MLA Rajendra Gavit's son Rohit Gavit, following an alleged late-night confrontation at a private hospital in Palghar over the treatment and discharge of injured Govinda troupe members.
The incident took place at Relief Hospital near Shivaji Chowk in the early hours of September 5, after a Dahi Handi event organised by the Shiv Sena at Shivaji Chowk on the Palghar-Manor highway. Several members of participating Govinda troupes were injured while forming human pyramids and were admitted to the hospital.
The hospital administration filed a complaint alleging that Shiv Sena leaders and workers entered the facility, abused a woman doctor, threatened to vandalise the hospital and assaulted a staff member. The complaint also alleges that some members of the group entered the intensive care unit (ICU) and put pressure on hospital authorities to discharge patients. CCTV footage from the hospital has been handed over to police, and police said they are examining the footage.
Dispute over treatment and payment
The dispute centred on the treatment of five injured Govindas who were admitted after the celebrations. One member suffered head and spine injuries, and doctors recommended a CT scan and further treatment. The hospital estimated the cost of treatment at around Rs 20,000, of which the organisers had deposited Rs 10,000.
According to the complaint, the situation escalated when the organisers questioned the need for the CT scan and sought the patient's discharge. Shiv Sena functionaries, including Sankhe, subsequently arrived at the hospital and questioned doctors about the scans. Dr Lizi Mole, a medical officer in the casualty department, explained that scans were necessary in cases involving head injuries. A heated argument followed, with hospital staff alleging that the Shiv Sena workers threatened to vandalise the hospital and abused the doctors.
CCTV footage from the hospital purportedly captures Rahul Gharat slapping a hospital employee during the confrontation. A woman staff member who tried to intervene was also allegedly threatened. Staff nurse Manisha Shengar alleged in the police complaint that she was threatened with the removal of patients' IV lines.
Dr Vishal Kodgirkar, orthopedic surgeon and founder of Relief Hospital, said: "This was not merely an incident of unruly behaviour, but a serious attack on the functioning and safety of a hospital. A critically injured patient was forcibly taken away from ICU and created panic among other critical patients. Our staff, including a female doctor, were threatened and assaulted."
However, the hospital's version is disputed by Shiv Sena office-bearers. Sankhe denied the allegations, saying the dispute stemmed from the hospital's refusal to discharge patients who had suffered minor injuries. He said functionaries had gone to the hospital to discuss treatment and discharge issues.
Police case and legal provisions
Senior Inspector Kishor Manbhav of Palghar police said: "Based on a complaint lodged by the hospital staff, a case has been registered against 17 people, including Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Shankhe and Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat, under sections pertaining to assault and the relevant section of the Medical Services Protection Act as the incident occurred inside the hospital premises. There is no damage or loss to property."
A case has been registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to causing hurt, insult and criminal intimidation, unlawful entry and unlawful assembly. Police have also invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Medicare Service-Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010. As the charges are bailable, no arrests have been made so far. Police said they will serve notices to the accused and are collecting evidence.
Context of violence against medical staff
The incident comes after a similar case in Dombivli, where a Shiv Sena corporator was alleged to have assaulted doctors at a KDMC-run hospital. The Palghar incident has also drawn criticism from Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil, who called it "hooliganism by Mahayuti politicians."The incident occurred amid a large number of injuries reported during Dahi Handi celebrations across Mumbai. According to figures released by government and BMC hospitals, 376 Govindas were injured during the celebrations. Of them, 53 were hospitalised, 37 were undergoing treatment and 286 had been discharged after receiving medical care.