Shiv Sena Corporator Caught on CCTV Allegedly Assaulting Doctors Inside Mumbai Hospital
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A Shiv Sena corporator and several associates were allegedly caught on CCTV assaulting two doctors inside a municipal hospital in Maharashtra's Kalyan-Dombivli after a newborn was referred to another facility due to a shortage of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds, as per reports.
The incident took place on Monday at Shastrinagar Hospital, where a woman underwent a caesarean section. Doctors later found that the newborn's umbilical cord had been wrapped twice around its neck, requiring specialised neonatal care.
However, with the hospital's NICU at full capacity, gynaecologists Dr Srushti Baviskar and Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe reportedly advised the family to shift the infant to another hospital for treatment.
According to the doctors, the patient's relatives contacted Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre. As both doctors were attending to other patients, they were unable to answer his phone calls. They alleged that Mhatre subsequently arrived at the hospital with several men, as per reports.
Assault Captured on CCTV
CCTV footage from the hospital, which has since surfaced online, allegedly shows Mhatre slapping Dr Salunkhe before several accompanying men begin assaulting him.
The footage further appears to show the corporator confronting Dr Baviskar before striking her hand, causing her mobile phone to fall to the ground. Moments later, he is allegedly seen returning to assault Dr Salunkhe again, including hitting him on the head with a file.
The doctors alleged that they were verbally abused without being given an opportunity to explain the medical circumstances surrounding the newborn's referral. Dr Salunkhe reportedly sustained injuries during the incident.
Two nurses — Namita Ubale and Dravya Giri — who attempted to intervene were also allegedly pushed and manhandled, as per reports.
The doctors further alleged that while leaving the hospital, Mhatre threatened the medical staff, saying, "Come outside the hospital, I will finish you."
Complaint Filed, Doctors Continue Protest
The incident was immediately reported to Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goyal, following which Medical Health Officer Dr Deepa Shukla, along with the injured doctors and hospital staff, lodged a complaint at Vishnunagar Police Station, as per reports.
Despite the complaint, the doctors claimed that no FIR had been registered at the time of reporting. They have reportedly announced that they will not resume work until an FIR is filed against the corporator and others allegedly involved in the assault.
Police said they have begun investigating the incident after the CCTV footage surfaced. Meanwhile, Ramesh Mhatre has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations.
