Citing emergency cases, doc refuses to do time-sensitive test on drink-driving suspects; cops hit back with complaint

Sassoon Doctor in trouble for refusing drink driving test

Citing emergency cases, doc refuses to do time-sensitive test on drink-driving suspects; cops hit back with complaint

Au00a0campaign to check drink-driving may be good for the city, but it can take a toll on the doctor on duty at Sassoon.

On Monday night, Dr Shivaji Marella, who claims he had emergency cases on his hands, reportedly refused to conduct alcohol confirmatory tests on nine people caught by the police, leading to some friction and a complaint against him with the Sassoon medical superintendent.

Senior Police Inspector Rajkumar Gaikwad, who sent the complaint letter on Tuesday from the Swargate police station, said the doctor refused to carry out blood and urine tests on the drink-driving suspects taken to Sassoon around 11 pm.

Doc yelled, say cops
Gaikwad said Marella screamed at a constable, saying he had already conducted tests on 40-odd drink-driving suspects and was tired.

Sassoon is the only centre authorised to conduct tests on people suspected of driving under the influence.

"One of our constables, Bhosale, took nine people to Sassoon; these people were brought to us by the traffic police. That day a large number of such people were being brought to the hospital. The doctor on duty, Shivaji Marella, refused to conduct the medical examination of the patients," said Gaikwad.

On days when campaigns against drink-driving are conducted, a large number of suspects can be brought in for tests, making it tough for Sassoon doctors to cope with it all.

"Our constable called up the police control room, and the officer there requested the doctor and told him that such tests are time-sensitive, but Marella remained adamant," said Gaikwad. "He even gave us his refusal in writing. The next day we wrote to the medical superintendent and dean informing them about this matter."

Hospital superintendent Dr P S Pawar said that he had not received any letter of the kind Gaikwad spoke of, but was aware of the incident.

Overworked
"I have enquired with the doctor. It wasn't his fault; he was overworked that night," said Pawar. "A drunk driver wasn't his priority as there were patients in a serious condition waiting for treatment."

Marella said he had only asked the constable to wait for some time as his hands were full with emergency patients.

"There were other patients waiting, who needed my attention first, as their case was more serious. Many other drink-driving cases were brought in by the police that night and we tested everyone, but with some delay," said Marella. "Had they informed us in advance, we would have arranged for more doctors. But if they come without notice we can't ignore emergencies to test drunk drivers."