Mumbai: Elderly Man Mistaken for Drunk Driver After Stroke, Delayed Treatment Leaves Him Paralysed
A 73-year-old Mumbai man who suffered a stroke while driving was allegedly kept at Versova police station for nearly five hours after being suspected of drunk driving. His family claims delayed medical treatment left him partially paralysed, while police said he told doctors he was drunk. Medical reports from two hospitals have raised questions over the incident.
A 73-year-old Mumbai man who suffered a stroke while driving and was involved in a minor accident was allegedly kept at Versova police station for nearly five hours after being suspected of drunk driving. His family has alleged that the delay in medical attention cost him crucial treatment time and left him partially paralysed. The incident was reported from Mumbai’s Versova area.
The man, identified as Sharad Kadam, was taken to hospital only after an FIR was registered against him for alleged rash and negligent driving and drunk driving. His family claims that symptoms of a stroke, including slurred speech, were mistaken for signs of intoxication. Kadam has remained in the ICU after his treatment was delayed by around 12 hours. Mumbai Police Suspends Officer After Viral Video Shows Him Threatening Students With Fake Drug Case.
Family Claims Stroke Symptoms Were Misidentified
According to Kadam’s family, he suffered a stroke while driving and lost control of his car, which brushed another vehicle at around 9 am on July 25. They alleged that police officials at the scene interpreted his slurred speech as a sign of alcohol consumption and did not conduct a breathalyser test.
Kadam, a retired businessman, lives alone in Versova, while his wife and son are based in Canada. ‘Will Frame You With 50gm Powder’: Mumbai Congress Accuses Policeman of Threatening Student Protesters, Shares Video.
Police Version and Medical Reports
Police officials said Kadam told doctors at Cooper Hospital that he had consumed alcohol. He was taken to the hospital for a blood alcohol test after the FIR was registered.
A second medical examination at Nanavati Hospital, where Kadam was shifted at around 8 pm, reportedly found no trace of alcohol. Police said the Cooper Hospital report is still awaited.
Under drunk driving procedures, an accused is required to be taken to a hospital for medical testing before further action, rather than being taken directly to a police station.
Family Alleges Delay in Emergency Care
Kadam’s family alleged that the delay in treatment affected his recovery. Rohan Rathod, an Andheri West corporator and Kadam’s nephew, claimed that police officials and the other driver, who is a doctor, failed to identify the warning signs of a stroke.
“They were adamant on filing an FIR," Rathod told TOI. “A relative, who is a lawyer, rushed to the police station and found that he had collapsed there. She also noticed my uncle’s slurred speech. But police continued to claim he was drunk. The delayed medical assistance left the right side of his body paralysed," he said.
The family has raised concerns over the handling of the case and the alleged delay in providing urgent medical attention.
MLA Ameet Satam Seeks Action Against Police Personnel
Following the allegations, MLA Ameet Satam wrote to DCP Purushottam Karad seeking action against the Versova police personnel involved in the matter.
In his letter, Satam said he questioned senior inspector Deepshika Ware about why Kadam was not provided immediate medical assistance but did not receive a clear response. The matter remains under review, with conflicting accounts from the family and police regarding the sequence of events and medical findings.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
