Mar 15 2017 : The Times of India (Chennai)

Mumbai doctor may lose vision as dead patient's relatives thrash him

Mumbai: TIMES NEWS NETWORK





A Mumbai doctor who recently took up a job in a Dhule government hospital was so brutally beaten up by irate relatives of an accident victim on Sunday night that he could lose vision in his left eye. The doctor, Rohan Mhamunkar (35), also suffered several injuries on his chest and back and was unconscious after the assault, which occurred after Holi festivities. Doctors' associations have started protesting, and say they will intensify their stir unless the government gives them an assurance of making hospitals safe for the medical fraternity. The Dhule police arrested nine people, including one who later committed suicide in lockup. Thus, in a span of 36 hours, Dhule, a dusty town, witnessed an accident and two crimes, all interlinked.

The patient was a pillion rider on a two-wheeler, who later succumbed to his injuries. His relatives beat up (presumably) the first doctor they approached. The person riding the two-wheeler, who was among those arrested for the assault on the doctor, committed suicide in lockup.

Superintendent of police Chaitnya S told TOI, “Pradeep Vetale committed suicide on Tuesday afternoon.“ He went to the toilet and hanged himself with a bedsheet. As he didn't re turn to the lockup for a long period, three of his family members, who were in the same cell, became worried. “We haven't yet been able to confirm this, but Vetale was supposedly the rider while Laskhar (the accident victim) was the pillion,“ the police officer said.
It was when Lashkar was taken to Sri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College, Dhule, around 11pm on Sunday , that his relatives got angry with Dr Mhamunkar and assaulted him. “Laskar was then taken to a private hospital, but he died within 24 hours,“ said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, a Dhule-based doctor who is president-elect of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The dean of Hire Medical College, S Satish Kumar, said, “Mhamunkar has been discharged and he has decided to take treatment in Mumbai, where he resides.“