Justice Bharati Dangre, Bombay high court has imposed a heavy fine on a person who claimed to be a ‘social worker’ and was accused of beating up doctors following a COVID patient’s death. He was instructed to pay Rs 1 lakh for corona care in the chief minister’s relief fund as a condition for pre-arrest bail. Prosecutors have said that the this is the highest amount levied till now during the lockdown in a case of violence against the doctors.

The court said that sorrow and grief of families of COVID patients can be understood, however one cannot forget that doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff have “selflessly” “acted as corona warriors” during the pandemic. The court stated this while granting some relief to the man in a case registered by city police of Baramati.

The high court also said that it was “unfortunate’’ that the medical fraternity was subjected to an attack. It also said that their stress and hard work is to be appreciated and acknowledged if it is not rewarded.

Shivaji Jadhav, aged 28 years, through his advocate Shriram Chaudhari said that he might have “overreacted’’ looking for answers as one of his relatives succumbed to the disease and the inconsolable family did not get any satisfactory explanation.

A public prosecutor SV Gavand opposed his plea and said that the FIR has alleged that Jadhav rushed into a consulting room in a Baramati hospital in spite of a warning. He threatened a doctor with “dire consequences’’ and abused nurses and other staff and also punched a doctor who is the complainant. The doctor, Sujit Adsul, said that the commotion had caused him as well as other staff too much stress.

The high court stated Jadhav’s behaviour as “remorse’’ but also said that he should be held accountable and take responsibility for his irresponsible and arrogant act. This can only be achieved if he contributes to the cause for which he has fought the so-called fight.

Justice Dangre said that we should appreciate the healthcare workers during this pandemic. Their contribution for welfare and safety of humanity is priceless and it deserves lifelong gratitude. Jadhav has been granted pre-arrest bail of Rs 25,000 but has been given 2 weeks after the release to deposit Rs 1 lakh into the CMs fund. 

Source: ET Healthworld