Mumbai: Worli Police Station’s Senior Inspector Ravindra Katkar has been suspended for violating protocol by not informing his senior officers before registering a case and arresting orthopedic surgeon Dr. Atul Wankhede, who is associated with Nanavati Hospital and other medical institutions in the city.
The suspension was confirmed by DCP Dattatray Kamble, who stated that the order was issued late Monday night, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated.
Katkar had allegedly arrested Dr. Wankhede without briefing his superiors, which is considered a direct breach of protocol. According to police sources, the action followed a complaint from a delivery boy named Avinash Saminder.
Based on the complaint of Avinash Samindar and supporting evidence, an FIR was filed on April 23 against Atul Wankhede under Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 351(2) [criminal intimidation] and 340(2) [fraudulent use of forged documents or electronic records]. Among other charges invoked are sections 339 [offence of possessing a document or electronic record knowing it to be forged] and 316(2) [criminal breach of trust]. Wankhede was arrested the same day.
During consultation on November 19, 2024, the doctor allegedly dismissed the need for medication, advising only exercise, but later gave him a single painkiller following which his condition worsened, said FIR. The complainant alleged that due to improper treatment by Wankhede, his spinal condition worsened.
Dr. Wankhede also faces accusations of holding a fake medical degree and allegedly misusing documents such as an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, and driving license obtained under someone else’s address.
Despite the gravity of the case, Katkar reportedly failed to inform senior officials before registering the FIR and later went ahead with the arrest on April 25 without reporting the action. This serious breach has resulted in his suspension pending further investigation.
