08 September,2026 02:36 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde ordered the suspension of seven party office bearers. File pic
Shiv Sena has suspended seven of its office bearers in Maharashtra's Palghar district, including district president Kundan Sankhe, following an alleged assault on hospital staff after a Dahi Handi event.
According to a party press note, the action was taken on the orders of Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for alleged indiscipline. The suspension comes after a group allegedly assaulted a doctor and a hospital staff member at Relief Hospital in Palghar over the treatment of injured Dahi Handi participants.
Police had earlier registered a case against 17 people, including Sankhe and the son of MLA Rajendra Gavit, in connection with the alleged assault on a hospital staff member.
Relief Hospital Director Dr Vishal Kodgirkar said five Govindas were injured after falling during a Dahi Handi event and were brought to the hospital for treatment. Two of them had suffered head injuries and loss of consciousness and were admitted for observation for 24 hours in accordance with medical protocol, he said.
According to Kodgirkar, associates of the injured participants later arrived at the hospital and questioned the decision to admit the two patients, claiming that their admission was unnecessary.
The dispute allegedly escalated when the group confronted a female doctor. A male receptionist intervened, after which he was allegedly slapped, the hospital director said.
Kodgirkar further alleged that the group then entered the ICU, removed IV drips from the patients and took them away.
The hospital director condemned the incident and said it had created an atmosphere of fear among the hospital staff. He said the employee who was allegedly assaulted was deeply distressed and that his family was also affected by the incident.
"We demand that the strictest possible action be taken regarding this incident," Kodgirkar said, calling for action against those responsible for the alleged assault and disruption at the hospital.
The Shiv Sena's decision to suspend the seven office bearers comes amid the police investigation into the incident. The case involves allegations of assault and disruption of medical treatment following the Dahi Handi celebrations in Palghar.
(With inputs from ANI)
