Mumbai Police Under Scrutiny After Stroke Victim Allegedly Detained for Hours Over Suspected Drunk Driving
Mumbai, 30th July 2026: A 73-year-old Mumbai resident is undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after allegedly being detained by police for several hours on suspicion of drunk driving, despite reportedly suffering a stroke while behind the wheel.
According to reports, Sharad Kadam, a retired businessman from Versova, lost control of his car after experiencing a stroke, resulting in a minor collision on the morning of July 25. Responding police personnel allegedly mistook his slurred speech and disoriented behaviour common symptoms of a stroke for signs of alcohol intoxication.
His family has alleged that instead of receiving immediate medical attention, Kadam was taken to the police station and later to a hospital for an alcohol test after an FIR was registered. They further claimed that no breathalyser test was conducted at the accident site and that the delay in treatment lasted nearly 12 hours, causing him to miss the critical “golden hour” for stroke care.
Doctors at a second hospital later reportedly found no trace of alcohol in his system. The report of the earlier blood alcohol test is still awaited, leading to conflicting accounts regarding whether he had consumed alcohol.
Under standard procedure in suspected drunk driving cases, the accused is required to be taken to a hospital for medical examination before further legal action. The incident has raised questions over whether established protocols were followed and whether the medical emergency was properly recognised.
Police registered an FIR against Kadam for rash and negligent driving and for allegedly driving under the influence, based on the complaint of a police constable who claimed the elderly man smelled of alcohol at the scene.
Family members have strongly alleged negligence, stating that both the responding officers and another individual present at the scene failed to recognise the symptoms of a stroke. They claim the delay in medical treatment resulted in paralysis on the right side of Kadam’s body.
The incident has also drawn political attention. Local MLA Ameet Satam has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police seeking action against the police personnel involved and has sought an explanation as to why immediate medical assistance was not provided.
The case has sparked concerns over emergency response procedures and highlighted the importance of recognising stroke symptoms, where every minute of delay can significantly affect a patient’s chances of recovery.
