Doctors and hospital staff were allegedly assaulted and threatened by Shiv Sena office-bearers at a hospital in Palghar following a dispute over the treatment bill of an injured Govinda, police and hospital sources indicated. The incident occurred past midnight on Sunday at Relief Hospital, where a disagreement reportedly broke out during the discharge of a participant injured in a Dahi Handi event.

The dispute reportedly began after members of the Govinda troupe were presented with a bill of Rs 19,866 for treatment. An argument followed, with the hospital staff alleging that the group verbally abused and threatened employees before some individuals allegedly became violent. A receptionist who attempted to intervene was allegedly slapped, while a woman employee was also reportedly threatened during the confrontation.

According to a complaint filed by a hospital employee, Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat and others entered the emergency department and confronted doctors. Several individuals allegedly proceeded into the intensive care unit, a restricted area, where hospital staff alleged that a nurse was threatened. The staff also alleged that the IV drip of an injured Govinda was removed before he was taken away from the hospital.

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Palghar police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Medical Services Protection Act. At least 17 people have been named in the case, including Sankhe, Gharat and Rohit Gavit, the son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit. Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the investigation.

The incident has drawn criticism from political opponents and concern within the medical community in Palghar. Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil described the alleged assault as unacceptable and called for accountability. The medical fraternity has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of doctors and hospital staff following incidents of violence at healthcare facilities.

The case also comes amid wider concerns over attacks on medical professionals in Maharashtra. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court denied bail to a Shiv Sena corporator arrested over an alleged assault on a woman doctor at a civic hospital in Thane. Police are continuing their investigation into the Palghar incident, including reviewing available CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the sequence of events and the role of those named in the complaint.

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