Doctors and hospital staff were allegedly assaulted and threatened by Shiv Sena workers at a hospital in Maharashtra’s Palghar after a dispute over the treatment bill of an injured ‘Govinda’. CCTV footage from the hospital appears to show one of the workers slapping a receptionist who tried to intervene.
At least 17 people have been named in the case, including Sankhe, Gharat and Rohit Gavit, the son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit.
Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat and several others entered the emergency department and confronted doctors, according to a complaint filed by a hospital employee. Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil described it as “shameful”. The term ‘Govindas’ refers to participants who form human pyramids during the traditional Dahi Handi celebrations. A receptionist who attempted to intervene was allegedly slapped, with the incident captured on CCTV. Palghar police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Medical Services Protection Act. Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the investigation. The incident has drawn criticism from the Opposition. The incident has also triggered concern among doctors and other medical professionals in Palghar, who have repeatedly raised concerns over their safety following attacks on healthcare workers. The issue of violence against doctors has also reached the Supreme Court. the Supreme Court observed that those who assault doctors are not entitled to bail and highlighted the mental trauma caused by mob attacks on medical professionals While refusing bail.
Earlier this month, the court denied bail to a Shiv Sena corporator arrested in July for allegedly hitting a woman doctor at a civic hospital in Thane. The incident took place after midnight on Sunday at Relief Hospital in Palghar, where a group of ‘Govindas’ had been admitted after being injured during a Dahi Handi event held as part of Janmashtami celebrations.
