Eknath Shinde suspends Sena leader arrested over attack on medical staff

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.

According to the police, five ‘govindas’ who were a part of a Shiv Sena Dahi Handi celebrations in Palghar were admitted to Relief Hospital in Palghar.

“The bill for the treatment of the govindas came to ₹19,000. Seventeen Sena members came to the hospital and had already paid ₹10,000; the remaining amount was yet to be paid. One of the ‘govindas’, aged 19, wanted to go home in Virar. But the doctor said he wanted to keep him for 24-hour observation,” Mr. Mahanubhav said. The officer added that the party members refused to pay the remaining amount until the 19-year-old was released, following which an argument broke out and the party workers assaulted the staff.

CCTV footage

Mr. Gharat, who was part of the group, allegedly slapped a staff member. CCTV footage from the hospital purportedly shows one person slapping a receptionist. The police have registered an FIR against 17 individuals.