Shinde said such incidents would not be tolerated and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible. Palghar : Deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde has taken serious cognisance of the alleged assault on a private hospital employee by Shiv Sena workers in Palghar. Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat, who was allegedly involved in the incident, was arrested on Monday and subsequently suspended from the party.
Palghar police registered a case against 17 people, including the Shiv Sena district chief and city chief.
Indian Medical Association’s Maharashtra unit has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a “fair” and “time-bound investigation” into the incident. “Healthcare professionals cannot function effectively when working under fear or intimidation,” the letter added. Police said efforts were on to trace the remaining accused. Reacting to the incident, Shinde said the party had suspended Gharat. Shiv Sena will not support such acts,” he said. Taking the law into one’s own hands is not acceptable, and Shiv Sena will not support it,” Shinde said. Gavit said Shiv Sena office-bearers had gone to the hospital to help the injured govindas and that a verbal altercation had taken place.
Doctors want prompt prosecution of those found responsible as well as protection against political or external interference. The state IMA, along with IMA Boisar, has also sought stronger police-response mechanisms for healthcare establishments across Maharashtra as well as a 24×7 emergency helpline for doctors and hospitals facing violence or threats. The incident has drawn widespread criticism across the state. He was produced before a court and remanded in police custody for a day. “The incident is extremely unfortunate. Assaulting doctors or other healthcare workers is not justified. “If there was any wrongdoing in the treatment of the patient, a complaint should have been lodged through legal channels. He alleged that the doctors subsequently lodged a complaint out of vendetta and pressured the police to register a case.
Gharat appeared before the police on Monday and was arrested.