In Palghar, Maharashtra, office-bearers of the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena have been accused of assaulting doctors and staff at Relief Hospital on Saturday night.
A Shiv Sena leader allegedly slapped an employee, while some people also entered the ICU and threatened a nurse.
According to a complaint filed by hospital staff, Shiv Sena District Chief Kundan Sankhe, City Chief Rahul Gharat and others reached the emergency ward.
They allegedly argued with doctors, abused the staff and assaulted them. Rahul Gharat allegedly slapped an employee who tried to intervene. The incident was captured on CCTV.
The dispute was over the medical bill of a ‘Govinda’ (Dahi Handi participant) who was injured during the Dahi Handi celebrations.
At the time of discharge, the hospital issued a bill of ₹19,866. The people accompanying the Govinda then argued with the hospital staff over the bill.
See the incident in 3 pictures…
Some people, along with a Shiv Sena leader, entered the hospital and started creating a ruckus.
An argument broke out with the hospital staff regarding the bill.
As the dispute escalated, a person slapped a hospital employee.
Case against 17 people, MLA’s son also named
Palghar Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the BNS and the Maharashtra Medical Services Protection Act.
At least 17 people have been named as accused. The list includes Kundan Sankhe, Rahul Gharat and Rohit Gavit, son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit.
Congress says – Mahayuti leaders have no fear of the law
Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil called the incident shameful and said it showed the “hooliganism” of Mahayuti leaders. He said attacks on doctors and hospital staff could not be accepted under any circumstances.
He said the safety of doctors had been raised as an issue before as well.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to a Shiv Sena councillor accused of assaulting a female doctor at a government hospital in Thane. The court said that people who attack doctors should not be granted bail.
