Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court Summons Palghar SP Over Hospital Violence
The Bombay High Court summoned the Palghar Superintendent of Police over alleged police inaction in a hospital assault case.
Shiv Sena workers allegedly vandalised Relief Hospital, threatened doctors and assaulted staff on September 5.
Five injured Dahi Handi participants were being treated there, including three in intensive care.
Police registered an FIR against 17 people, including Shiv Sena leaders and relatives of politicians.
The court directed the Palghar SP to appear with case papers; one accused was remanded to police custody.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, Palghar police, medical staff, injured Govindas and 17 people named in the FIR, including Shiv Sena leaders.
- What
- The court summoned the Palghar Superintendent of Police over alleged inaction in investigating an assault and vandalism case at Relief Hospital.
- When
- The hospital incident occurred on September 5; the court issued its summons on September 8.
- Where
- Relief Hospital in Palghar; the matter was heard by the Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- Why
- The court was told that Shiv Sena workers allegedly assaulted staff, vandalised the hospital and forcibly removed injured patients, while police had taken no serious investigative steps.
Doctors’ and Petitioners’ Allegations
Police and Prosecution Response
Investigation progress
Doctors’ and Petitioners’ Allegations
Counsel for the Indian Medical Association and senior counsel Ashok Mundargi said the police had taken no serious steps in the case.
Police and Prosecution Response
Additional Public Prosecutor Shreekant Gavand said he did not have instructions from the police and sought more time.
Events at the hospital
Doctors’ and Petitioners’ Allegations
The lawyers alleged that Shiv Sena activists vandalised the hospital, threatened doctors, assaulted staff and forcibly removed injured patients.
Police and Prosecution Response
The report records the allegations and the FIR, but does not provide a detailed response from the accused disputing them.
Pressure over a counter-case
Doctors’ and Petitioners’ Allegations
Mundargi alleged that police faced pressure to register a case against doctors under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police and Prosecution Response
The report does not include a police response to that allegation.
- Hospital
- Relief Hospital, Palghar
- Patients involved
- Five injured Govindas, including three in the ICU
- FIR suspects
- 17 people, including Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Sankhe and city chief Rahul Gharat
- Alleged conduct
- Vandalism, threats to doctors, assaults on staff and forcible removal of patients
- Court directive
- The Palghar Superintendent of Police must appear with the case papers
- Arrest
- Rahul Gharat was arrested and remanded to one day of police custody
- Related proceeding
- The bench was also hearing a suo motu plea concerning violence at a civic hospital in Thane