Tensions flared in Ulhasnagar on Monday evening following the death of a 47-year-old school teacher, leading to a violent mob attack on a local hospital. The incident, rooted in allegations of medical negligence, saw significant property damage before police intervention brought the situation under control.
Sequence of Events: From Hospital Admission to Tragic Death
Shobha Jogi, a school teacher and a respected community figure associated with a political outfit, was admitted to Anil Multispecialty Hospital on November 28. She was suffering from pneumonia and fluid accumulation in her lungs, and her condition was critical from the start. As her health worsened, she was immediately placed on ventilator support.
On Monday evening, her family made the decision to transfer her to Jupiter Hospital in Thane for further treatment. According to the hospital's official timeline, Jogi was formally discharged at 8:20 pm. However, while she was being moved into the ambulance, her heart rate dropped precipitously. Doctors rushed her back to the ICU and performed CPR for 17 minutes, but they could not revive her.
Clashing Narratives: Negligence vs. Misinformation
The aftermath of the death saw two starkly different accounts emerge. Angered relatives and community supporters alleged severe medical malpractice. They claimed the hospital had demanded the full treatment bill be cleared before discharge and falsely assured them Jogi was stable. Some relatives even alleged she had died earlier and was kept on the ventilator solely to extract more money.
The hospital administration, led by director Deepak Sirwani, categorically denied these allegations. They asserted the violence stemmed from "misinformation" circulated among some individuals. Sirwani stated that a doctor from the patient's own family was present throughout the process. "We even showed CCTV footage of the CPR to the relatives. After their own doctor confirmed the sequence of events, they accepted that the patient was alive when being discharged," he explained.
Violent Outburst and Police Mediation
As news of Jogi's death spread, a crowd of approximately 100-150 people gathered outside the hospital. The mood quickly turned violent, with the mob vandalising the premises, damaging property, and creating panic in the area.
Police teams from the Central Police Station arrived promptly at the scene. Their swift action prevented the crowd from turning more violent and managed to bring the situation under control. Senior police inspector Shankar Avtade addressed the conflict, noting, "There was some miscommunication from both sides, which was later resolved amicably. Neither party wished to file a formal complaint." While the atmosphere remained tense for some time, continued police presence ensured no further disturbances occurred.
The incident highlights the volatile intersection of healthcare, public emotion, and community dynamics in urban India. It underscores the critical need for clear communication between medical institutions and patients' families, especially in high-stakes, tragic situations.
