Bombay High Court Criticizes Police’s Lack of Action in Palghar Hospital Assault Case

The Bombay High Court expressed serious concerns over the police’s lackadaisical approach to investigating the assault on medical personnel and vandalism at a private hospital in Palghar, Maharashtra. The incident, which occurred on the night of September 5-6, involved members of a faction of the Shiv Sena party led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The court deemed the police’s actions, or rather inactions, in the matter as unacceptable, highlighting the urgent need for a thorough probe.

According to reports, a group of individuals associated with the Shinde faction stormed the Relief Hospital where several patients, injured during the Dahi Handi festivities, were receiving treatment. Allegedly irate over what they considered exorbitant hospital fees, these individuals vandalized hospital property, threatened physicians, and physically assaulted healthcare staff. They even forcibly removed patients from the intensive care unit, escalating the situation into a violent confrontation.

In the aftermath of the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde took decisive action by suspending Rahul Gharat, the Palghar chief of Shiv Sena, and announced plans for his expulsion from the party. Shinde publicly condemned the violence, stating that his party does not tolerate any form of assault against medical professionals, emphasizing the need for a respectful environment for healthcare workers.

The Bombay High Court’s scrutiny came during the hearing of a suo motu petition related to another incident of violence against healthcare workers, this time at a civic hospital in Thane. Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata voiced their frustrations over the apparent apathy shown by the Palghar police, stating that such indifference towards serious offenses against healthcare personnel undermines the integrity of the justice system.

This incident in Palghar has reignited discussions around the safety of healthcare professionals in India, particularly in the face of rising aggression against them in recent years. The judicial system’s involvement signifies a broader call for accountability and stringent measures to protect those dedicated to serving the public health needs.

Source: scroll.in