Bombay HC fined Rs. 1 lakh to a Man who hit Doctors over COVID-19 death

Bombay HC Observes Intrusion In Academic Matters Amounts To Judicial Over-Reach & Stepping Into Domain Of Other Organs Of State

After Covid-19 patient’s death, a person claimed to be a social worker was accused for beating up doctors on duty, has now amounted to compensate. The case was registered against the man named Shivaji Jadhav, 28, by Baramati City Police.

Justice Bharati Dangre of the Bombay High Court has imposed a hefty fine and was directed to cough up Rs 1 lakh for the CM’s relief fund for Coronavirus care as a condition for pre-arrest bail. In the case of violence against doctors, the prosecutors say the amount is the highest levied so far during the lockdown.

While granting relief, the Court has observed, “Grief of families of Covid-19 patients can well be understood, but it cannot be forgotten that doctors, nurses & other health staff have selflessly acted as corona warriors throughout the pandemic.” Further, the Court has said that “it was very unfortunate that the medical fraternity itself was subjected to an attack…..verbal & physical…….their hard work is to be just appreciated & acknowledged if not rewarded.”

A plea was submitted through a counsel Advocate Shriram Chaudhari said that, he may have over reacted while seeking answers as a close relative had succumbed and the family of the covid-19 patient has got no satisfactory explanation. While hearing, the Public Prosecutor S.V Gavand opposed the plea by contending that, the FIR alleges that Jadhav barged into a consulting room in a Baramati hospital despite a warning, threatened a doctor with dire consequences, abused nurses verbally & punched a doctor.  The attacked doctor Mr. Sujit Adsul, also said the trigger for a sudden Covid-19 death cannot be explained so easily, but the ruckus had caused him and other staff is in tremendous stress.

Considering the above facts, the Court said that Jadhav must be made “accountable and take up responsibility for his reckless act. This can only be attained if he contributes to the cause for which he had fought the so-called battle.” However, Mr. Jadhav was granted pre-arrest bail of Rs 25,000 but has been given two weeks to deposit Rs 1 lakh into the CM’s fund. And the Court also stated, “Failure to deposit would denude from the protection from his arrest”.

T. Madiha
I am T. Madiha, a final year student of BA.LL.B from Osmania University, Hyderabad. I'm spontaneous, attentive, and a good observer. I always would like to express my prior concern in research & writing skills as it enhance me to grow for the future endeavours in the legal field. I strongly believe in Theodore Roosevelt quote by focusing on my actions rather than words as he once said - "Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are". I have sole interests on various spheres of law and wants to change the societal issues for better world. I love to live in a dynamic environment where people help others to develop their skills, my suggestions have actively been taken up in the same.