A dispute over the discharge of an injured Govinda turned ugly at a Palghar hospital after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers entered into a confrontation with doctors and staff late at night. CCTV footage from Relief Hospital shows Shiv Sena Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat hitting a hospital employee, while a woman staffer is seen being threatened when she tries to intervene.
The incident took place past midnight on Sunday, hours after five members of a Govinda Pathak were brought to the hospital following injuries sustained during a Dahi Handi celebration.
An FIR has now been registered against 17 people, including Shiv Sena district president Kundan Sankhe, BJP MLA Rajendra Gavit’s son Rohit Gavit, Gharat and corporator Neelam Sankhe.
DISPUTE OVER INJURED GOVINDA’S DISCHARGE
The trouble began after doctors advised a CT scan for one of the injured Govindas, who had sustained injuries to his head and spine during the Dahi Handi celebration at Rajyog Mall near the Mahim Highway in Palghar on Saturday.
The hospital said the treatment bill was around Rs 20,000, against which Rs 10,000 had been deposited. A dispute then broke out over the patient’s discharge and the need for further medical examination.
Kundan Sankhe, other Shiv Sena office-bearers and members of the Govinda Pathak reached the hospital and questioned doctors about the CT scan. Doctors maintained that the examination was necessary given the nature of the injuries.
What started as an argument over the patient’s treatment soon spilled into the hospital corridors.
CCTV CAPTURES STAFF MEMBER BEING HIT
CCTV footage handed over to the police captures Rahul Gharat hitting a hospital employee during the confrontation. A woman employee who attempts to intervene is also threatened, according to the hospital complaint.
The hospital has accused the group of abusing and intimidating doctors and staff and entering the ICU. The complaint states that pressure was also put on hospital authorities to discharge patients admitted there.
The hospital administration has submitted the CCTV footage to the police as evidence of the incident.
FIR AGAINST 17 UNDER BNS, MAHARASHTRA MEDICAL LAW
Palghar police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Medicare Service-Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010, have also been invoked.
The charges cover offences including causing hurt, intimidation, abuse, unauthorised entry and unlawful assembly, besides provisions protecting medical personnel and healthcare institutions from violence.
Police are investigating the incident and examining the CCTV footage submitted by the hospital.
SANKHE SAYS THEY WANTED PATIENTS DISCHARGED
Kundan Sankhe defended the presence of the Shiv Sena functionaries at the hospital, saying they had gone there after injured Govindas were not being discharged despite suffering minor injuries. He said the issue was related to the treatment and discharge of the Dahi Handi participants.
Govindas are devotees who take part in Dahi Handi celebrations on Janmashtami, forming human pyramids to break a suspended earthen pot as part of the traditional festivities.
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Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Sep 6, 2026 16:28 IST
