Eknath Shinde suspends Sena leader arrested over attack on medical staff
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has suspended a Shiv Sena city chief following his arrest for assaulting hospital staff. The incident occurred after a dispute over medical bills and the discharge of party members from a private hospital.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding political accountability and the conduct of party workers in local healthcare settings.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Monday (September 7, 2026) suspended the party’s Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat following the latter’s arrest over the alleged assault on employees of a private hospital by Shiv Sena workers a day ago. Mr. Shinde said such incidents would not be tolerated and warned of strict action against anyone found responsible.
Inspector Kishor Mahanubhav of the Palghar police station said Mr. Gharat was produced before a local magistrate, who remanded him to police custody for a day.
This is the second such incident of assault by Sena leader in the recent past. Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at a Thane hospital on July 6.
A wider probe into the Palghar attack was under way even as the police remain on the lookout for the remaining accused persons, the officer said.
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