Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court Orders Supervision of Palghar Hospital Probe
A group of people allegedly attacked a hospital in Palghar after Dahi Handi celebrations.
Some injured Govindas were being treated there.
The group allegedly complained that the hospital was charging high fees.
They allegedly damaged property, threatened doctors, hurt staff and removed patients from the ICU.
Police opened a case against 22 people.
Police said 13 people had been arrested, while several others were still missing.
The Bombay High Court said the investigation was not being done properly.
The court was especially concerned that important evidence was not recorded or collected.
It ordered a senior police officer to check the investigation and report back on September 17.
The Bombay High Court called the Palghar police investigation lethargic, lackadaisical, superficial and seriously flawed.
The court said the spot panchnama lacked vital seized or sealed evidence, including mention of a removed saline bottle.
The alleged September 5–6 incident involved Shiv Sena workers vandalizing Relief Hospital and assaulting medical staff.
The police registered an FIR against 22 people, including local Shiv Sena leaders; 13 people were reported arrested.
The Konkan Range senior police officer was ordered to supervise the investigation and file a report by September 17.
- Who
- The accused include alleged Shiv Sena workers, including district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat, MLA Rajendra Gavit’s son and deputy taluka chief Rohit Gavit; Palghar police are investigating.
- What
- The Bombay High Court criticized the investigation into an alleged hospital assault, vandalism and forcible removal of ICU patients.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred between the night of September 5 and September 6; the court ordered a report for September 17.
- Where
- The alleged incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar, and the case was heard by the Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- Why
- The alleged group said the hospital was charging high fees, while the court ordered supervision because it found the police investigation apparently superficial and potentially beneficial to the accused.
High Court’s concerns
Police and accused-side account
Quality and seriousness of the investigation
High Court’s concerns
The court said the police action appeared superficial, legally questionable and likely to benefit the accused, citing deficiencies in the panchnama and case diary entries.
Police and accused-side account
The State said medical documents had been seized, described the police as serious about the case and reported raids and continuing efforts to arrest absconding suspects.
Reason for the hospital incident
High Court’s concerns
The court focused on allegations that medical staff were assaulted, hospital property was vandalized and ICU patients were forcibly removed.
Police and accused-side account
The alleged Shiv Sena workers reportedly claimed that the hospital was charging high fees for treating injured Govindas.
- Court criticism
- The court described the probe as lethargic, lackadaisical, superficial, ridiculous and seriously flawed.
- Supervising officer
- The Additional Inspector General or Special Inspector General of Police for the Konkan division was ordered to examine or personally monitor the investigation.
- Report deadline
- September 17.
- FIR scope
- The FIR named 22 people, including several Shiv Sena figures; one report said 10 were named and 12 were initially unidentified.
- Arrests
- Police reported the arrest of Rahul Gharat and 12 people initially listed as unidentified, for a total of 13 arrests.
- Absconding accused
- Nine accused were reported absconding; three sought anticipatory bail, but their pleas were rejected.
- Evidence concern
- The court questioned the spot panchnama because it did not record vital seized or sealed evidence, including a saline bottle reportedly removed from an ICU patient.
