Bombay High Court on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) rapped Palghar police over laxity in probing the case against Shiv Sena workers for assault on medical staff and vandalising a private hospital in the district.

Bombay HC Bench comprising Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata was hearing the suo-motu case with allegations that the police have failed to carry investigation in the case. 

A day before, Bombay HC ordered to summon the Palghar Superintendent of Police over the inaction allegations against the Shiv Sena workers. Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh informed court that among the 10 accused named in the FIR, Shiv Sena city chief Rahul Gharat has been arrested, while remaining are absconding. 

In response, Court asked, “Why there was no prompt arrest? It is because of police’s laxity the accused are absconding.”

Calling the police action “unacceptable”, Court observed that police has failed to learn from previous incident in July where a doctor was assaulted in Thane District’s Dombivli region’s public hospital. 

In both the Palghar doctor assault case and the Thane case, Shiv Sena office bearers have been the accused. In case of Thane, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested.

Court said, “Was Thane incident not enough for police to learn a lesson?” Court also advised Palghar police to transfer the case to Mumbai police’s crime branch, if they are unable to take action.

On the night of September 5, Shiv Sena workers, the son of MLA Rajendra Gavit and deputy taluka chief Rohit Gavit allegedly assaulted staff at Relief Hospital in Palghar over expensive treatment. The incident was flagged during the hearing of suo motu case in Thane incident.