A 19-year-old patient undergoing treatment for liver failure at Mumbai’s civic-run hospital died late Monday night, triggering chaos inside the facility after grieving relatives allegedly attacked medical staff and security personnel.
Patient Awaiting Liver Donor Dies After Month-Long Treatment
The deceased, Ganesh Kolekar, a resident of Sangli, had been admitted to Ward 41 for nearly a month while awaiting a liver transplant. Doctors had reportedly informed the family early on about the difficulty in finding a suitable donor. On Monday evening, his condition turned critical, and he succumbed during treatment later that night.
Violence Erupts in Hospital Premises
Hours after the death, tensions escalated when around 15 relatives allegedly turned violent inside the hospital around 5:00–5:30 AM on Tuesday. According to hospital authorities, a 34-year-old nurse was attacked and sustained injuries near her eye and arm. Three security guards—two male and one female—were also injured in the incident.
FIR Filed Against Four Relatives
Following the assault, a complaint was lodged at Bhoiwada Police Station. Police have registered a case against four relatives—identified as Gayabai Sawant, Baliram Sawant, Babasaheb Jadhav, and an unidentified woman—though hospital staff claimed that more individuals were involved.
Charges Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Authorities confirmed that the case has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to assault or criminal force against a public servant and intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace.
Nurse Stable, To Be Discharged
The injured nurse underwent a CT scan, which returned normal. Hospital officials stated that she is stable and likely to be discharged soon.
Hospital Staff Demand Strict Action
After the incident, hospital unions gathered at the dean’s office, demanding strict legal action against those involved. Medical staff also raised concerns about safety and security within public hospitals, emphasizing the need for stronger protection measures.
Rising Concern Over Safety of Healthcare Workers
This incident adds to growing concerns about violence against healthcare professionals in India, especially in high-pressure environments like government hospitals, where emotional distress among patients’ families can sometimes escalate into aggression.
