Eight Shiv Sena functionaries accused in the alleged assault on doctors and medical employees at a private hospital in Palghar surrendered before the police on Sunday, while another person linked to one of the accused was arrested. With the latest action, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 23. The eight functionaries who surrendered were identified as Manish Sankhe, Rahul Sankhe, Sairaj Patil, Kundan Sankhe, Nilam Sankhe, Shubham Bandiwadekar, Manoj Gharat and Vrushab Vare. Sahil Raut, who has been identified as the driver of accused Sairaj Patil, was also arrested during the day.
Late on Sunday, all nine accused were produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class court and were remanded in police custody until September 16. The police remand of Shiv Sena city chief Rahul Gharat and 12 members of a Govinda troupe, who had been arrested earlier in connection with the case, was also extended until September 16. The latest developments have come amid increased judicial scrutiny of the investigation. The Bombay High Court had criticised the Palghar police over the manner in which the case was being investigated and had described the probe as “most lackadaisical”. The Special Inspector General of the Konkan division was directed by the court to review the investigation and submit a report by September 17.
Several changes have also been made to the officer responsible for investigating the case. Police sub-inspector Vinayak Kesarkar had initially been named as the investigating officer in the FIR. On September 8, the investigation was handed over to Palghar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Umesh Gawali. Another change was subsequently made on September 11, when Dahanu SDPO Nisha Jadhav was appointed as the investigating officer. The case was registered following an incident at Relief Hospital in Palghar on September 5. A group of Shiv Sena functionaries was accused of assaulting doctors and other hospital employees after a dispute reportedly arose over the treatment and discharge of Govindas who had sustained injuries during Dahi Handi celebrations.
Following the incident, 17 people were booked by the Palghar police. Those named included Shiv Sena Palghar district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat and deputy taluka chief Rohit Gavit. Organisational action was subsequently taken by the Shiv Sena, with the three office-bearers and four other accused functionaries being suspended. Rahul Gharat surrendered before the police on September 7. Rohit Gavit, the son of MLA Rajendra Gavit, was arrested on September 11 and was subsequently remanded in police custody until September 16.
Six of the eight Shiv Sena functionaries who surrendered on Sunday — Manish Sankhe, Rahul Sankhe, Sairaj Patil, Kundan Sankhe, Nilam Sankhe and Shubham Bandiwadekar — had sought anticipatory bail. Their applications had been scheduled for hearing on September 15. Manoj Gharat and Vrushab Vare, the two other functionaries who surrendered on Sunday, were also taken into custody as the investigation continued.
With 23 people now arrested in connection with the alleged attack, further developments are expected as the police investigation is reviewed at the senior level and the report sought by the Bombay High Court is submitted.
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