Mumbai Police Detain Stroke Patient for 5 Hours

A 73-year-old Mumbai resident, Sharad Kadam, suffered a stroke while driving on July 25, causing his car to lightly collide with another vehicle around 9 am. Despite his medical emergency, Kadam was allegedly detained at Versova Police Station for nearly five hours on suspicion of drunk driving.

The family claimed that police mistook Kadam's slurred speech, a common symptom of stroke, for intoxication and registered an FIR for rash, negligent and drunk driving without first conducting a breathalyser test. Kadam was taken to the police station instead of being rushed for immediate medical care, resulting in a nearly 12-hour delay in treatment.

He was later admitted to Nanavati Hospital around 8 pm and has since remained in the ICU with partial paralysis affecting the right side of his body. The family alleged that the delay in treatment was due to the police's mistake, which has left Kadam partially paralysed.

Under legal procedure, suspected drunk-driving accused are required to be taken to a hospital for blood alcohol testing before being brought to a police station. However, police alleged that Kadam smelled of alcohol at the accident site and claimed he told doctors at Cooper Hospital that he had consumed alcohol.

The blood alcohol report from Cooper Hospital is still awaited. Meanwhile, a separate test conducted at Nanavati Hospital reportedly found no trace of alcohol in his system.

Kadam's nephew, Andheri West corporator Rohan Rathod, alleged that police ignored visible signs of a stroke despite his uncle's age and deteriorating condition. He claimed a lawyer from the family found Kadam collapsed inside the police station, but officers continued treating the case as one of drunk driving.

The incident has triggered political attention, with BJP MLA Ameet Satam writing to Deputy Commissioner of Police Purushottam Karad, seeking action against the police personnel involved. In his letter, Satam questioned why Kadam was allegedly denied prompt medical treatment despite displaying symptoms of a stroke.

The incident highlights the importance of prompt medical attention in emergency situations. The delay in treatment has had severe consequences for Kadam, and the family is seeking justice.

The Mumbai Police have not yet issued a detailed response, and the Cooper Hospital blood test report is still awaited. The incident is under investigation, and the family is waiting for the results of the inquiry.

In conclusion, the incident involving Sharad Kadam is a serious matter that raises concerns about the handling of medical emergencies by the police. The delay in treatment has had severe consequences, and it is essential that the police take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

The family's allegations of negligence and delay in treatment are being investigated, and the results of the inquiry are awaited. The incident has sparked a debate about the need for prompt medical attention in emergency situations and the importance of proper training for police personnel in handling such cases.

The Mumbai Police must take immediate action to address the concerns raised by this incident and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. The family of Sharad Kadam deserves justice, and it is essential that the police take necessary steps to prevent such incidents.

The incident is a reminder of the importance of prompt medical attention in emergency situations. It is essential that the police and other authorities take necessary steps to ensure that medical emergencies are handled promptly and efficiently.

In the end, the incident involving Sharad Kadam is a tragic reminder of the consequences of delay in medical treatment. It is essential that the police and other authorities take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that medical emergencies are handled promptly and efficiently.