Shiv Sena Suspends Seven Palghar Functionaries After Assault at Relief Hospital
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday announced the suspension of seven party functionaries, including Palghar district chief Kundan Sankhe and city chief Rahul Gharat, following an assault on medical staff at Relief Hospital in Palghar on September 5. Party secretary Sanjay More confirmed that the disciplinary action was recommended by the Shiv Sena's disciplinary committee.
Along with Sankhe and Gharat, the suspended members include Palghar youth wing president Sairaj Patil, youth wing coordinator Rishabh Ware, Manish Sankhe, Rahul Sankhe, and Rohit Gavit, who is the son of Palghar MLA Rajendra Gavit. The suspensions follow police action three days earlier, in which 17 people, mostly Shiv Sena functionaries, were booked in a first information report for abusing and assaulting hospital staff.
The altercation at the private hospital began over a dispute regarding the discharge and medical bills of five Govindas injured during Dahi Handi celebrations organised by the Shiv Sena. Hospital personnel reported that the group verbally abused doctors, entered the restricted intensive care unit, and threatened to vandalise the facility. Gharat was also caught on CCTV footage slapping a hospital receptionist.
Following the incident, Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the violence and announced Gharat's initial suspension on Monday, adding that formal expulsion proceedings would follow. Shinde stressed that the party would not tolerate members taking the law into their own hands or shield those involved.
"If something wrong was done by the hospital, they should have used the legal remedy. Taking the law into their hands cannot be tolerated, and the party will not shield such people," Shinde stated. He added that the party does not condone violence against healthcare professionals, calling the Palghar incident deeply regrettable and unacceptable.
The Palghar assault sparked outrage across the region, coming two months after a similar incident on July 6, when a group led by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly attacked doctors and medical staff at a civic hospital in Dombivli, resulting in Mhatre's arrest.
