Bombay HC: Police showed respect to accused corporator in doctors' assault case

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday observed that the police had shown respect to the accused Shiv Sena corporator during the investigation into the assault of two doctors at a civic hospital in Mumbai. The court made the remark while hearing a petition seeking a fair investigation into the incident.

On May 21, 2023, two resident doctors at the civic-run V N Desai Hospital in Chembur were allegedly assaulted by a group of people, including the corporator, after they refused to attend to a patient accused of theft. The doctors had filed a complaint, and the police registered an FIR against the corporator and others.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel argued that the police had not conducted the investigation fairly and had shown undue deference to the accused, given his political influence. The High Court, however, noted that the police had followed proper procedure and had even recorded the statements of the doctors and other witnesses. The court specifically remarked that the police had 'shown respect' to the accused, but clarified that this did not mean the investigation was biased.

Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan, who were hearing the case, directed the police to complete the investigation within three months and submit a status report. The court also restrained the accused from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.

The incident had sparked protests by medical associations across the state, demanding better security for healthcare workers. The Maharashtra government had subsequently announced a new security protocol for hospitals.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 2023.