1,832-page chargesheet filed against 5 in Dombivli hospital assault case
Kalyan: In a recent development, police have filed a 1,832-page chargesheet against five accused in connection with the alleged assault of doctors and abuse of nursing staff at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli. The chargesheet was submitted before the Kalyan court following an investigation that came under the scrutiny of the Bombay High Court after it took suo motu cognisance of the incident.
The case relates to an incident on July 6, when the accused allegedly confronted hospital staff over the treatment of a woman who had visited the facility for delivery. According to the police case, the confrontation escalated into an assault on two doctors and verbal abuse of nursing staff.
Four of the accused were arrested the following day, while the main accused was later arrested in connection with the case. The incident triggered protests and demands for stringent action from sections of the medical fraternity.
The investigation later came under judicial scrutiny. The Bombay High Court directed the authorities to expedite the investigation and that the matter be considered for a fast-track trial.
During the proceedings, the high court also expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the investigation was being conducted and directed that it be handed over to a Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officer.
According to TOI, the police completed the investigation within 66 days and submitted the chargesheet, police said. The chargesheet includes statements of 32 witnesses, along with other documentary and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage of the incident.
The case has also involved a separate legal battle over bail. The principal accused was initially granted bail by the Kalyan court on July 13. The Bombay High Court later stayed that order and, after the accused spent nearly a month in custody, granted bail on August 7 subject to conditions.
One of the conditions required him to remain outside Maharashtra until the hearing of the state government's challenge to the bail order. He has since been staying in Goa.
With the chargesheet now before the Kalyan court, the criminal proceedings against the five accused will move forward. The bail-related proceedings concerning the principal accused are also pending before the Bombay High Court.
