Shinde suspends Palghar Sena chief after hospital staff assault
Shiv Sena suspends Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat after his arrest for allegedly assaulting hospital staff over a ₹19,000 treatment bill.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Monday suspended the party's Palghar city chief, Rahul Gharat, following his arrest in connection with an alleged assault on staff at a private hospital. Shinde said such behaviour would not be tolerated and warned of strict action against those responsible.
Police said Gharat was produced before a local magistrate, who remanded him to one day of police custody. Inspector Kishor Mahanubhav of the Palghar police station said the incident occurred after five 'govindas' — participants in a Dahi Handi celebration — were admitted to Relief Hospital in Palghar.
The treatment bill for the group came to ₹19,000. Seventeen Shiv Sena members arrived at the hospital and paid ₹10,000, but the remaining amount was disputed. A 19-year-old govinda wanted to return home to Virar, but doctors advised keeping him under observation for 24 hours. The party members refused to settle the balance until he was released, leading to an argument that escalated into an assault on staff.
CCTV footage reportedly shows Gharat slapping a receptionist. Police have registered an FIR against 17 individuals and are searching for the remaining accused.
This is the second recent case involving a Shiv Sena leader accused of attacking medical personnel. In July, corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at a Thane hospital.