5 hrs ago
Palghar Hospital Attack Draws Arrests and High Court Rebuke
A group of people went to a hospital in Palghar after Govindas were injured during Dahi Handi celebrations.
They said the hospital was charging too much money.
Police allege that the group damaged property, threatened doctors and hurt hospital workers.
They also allegedly took an injured person out of the ICU.
Fourteen more people were arrested, including the son of an MLA.
An earlier arrest had involved Shiv Sena city chief Rahul Gharat.
The Bombay High Court said the police investigation appeared poorly conducted.
The court asked a senior police officer to check whether the investigation followed the law.
Palghar Police arrested 14 people, including Shiv Sena MLA Rajendra Gavit’s son Rohit, over the hospital attack.
The incident occurred during the intervening night of September 5 and 6 at Relief Hospital in Palghar.
Police allege that Sena workers vandalised the hospital, threatened doctors, assaulted staff and removed an injured person from the ICU.
The FIR names 22 people; Shiv Sena Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat had already been arrested and suspended.
The Bombay High Court called the investigation “ridiculous and seriously flawed” and ordered a senior police official to review it.
- Who
- Palghar Police arrested 14 people, including Rohit, son of Shiv Sena MLA Rajendra Gavit; 22 people are named in the FIR.
- What
- A group allegedly attacked and vandalised Relief Hospital, assaulted staff and took an injured person from the ICU; the High Court criticized the investigation.
- Where
- Relief Hospital in Palghar, Maharashtra.
- When
- The attack occurred during the intervening night of September 5 and 6; 14 arrests were made five days later, on Friday.
- Why
- The group allegedly objected to what it claimed were exorbitant hospital fees for treating injured Govindas.
Hospital Staff and Court Concerns
Group’s Stated Fee Complaint
What prompted the confrontation
Hospital Staff and Court Concerns
Hospital staff were allegedly threatened and assaulted, the property was allegedly vandalised, and an injured patient was allegedly taken from the ICU.
Group’s Stated Fee Complaint
The group claimed that Relief Hospital was charging exorbitant fees for treatment.
Assessment of the police investigation
Hospital Staff and Court Concerns
The Bombay High Court said the probe appeared superficial, legally questionable and potentially beneficial to the accused.
Group’s Stated Fee Complaint
The police proceeded with arrests and registered an FIR against 22 people; the court ordered a senior officer to examine whether the action was legally proper.
Key facts
- Additional arrests
- 14 people, including Rohit, son of MLA Rajendra Gavit
- Total people named in FIR
- 22
- Earlier arrest
- Rahul Gharat, Shiv Sena Palghar city chief, was arrested on September 7 and suspended from the party
- Alleged conduct
- Vandalism, threats to doctors, assaults on staff and forcible removal of an injured person from the ICU
- Court assessment
- The Bombay High Court called the probe “ridiculous and seriously flawed” and “lackadaisical”
- Next court report
- The Additional Inspector General of Police, Konkan division, must submit a report on September 17
- Bench
- Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata
Sources
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