Mumbai Man Suffers Paralysis After Police Mistake Stroke for Intoxication

A 73-year-old man from Mumbai has reportedly suffered partial paralysis after police misjudged his medical emergency as drunken driving, according to claims made by his family. The incident, which took place on July 25, involved Sharad Kadam, a retired businessman from Versova, who is said to have experienced a stroke while behind the wheel. His family asserts that he lost control of his vehicle around 9 a.m., resulting in a minor collision with another car. Instead of recognizing the signs of a stroke, officers at the scene allegedly concluded that Kadam was under the influence of alcohol due to his slurred speech, a symptom often associated with strokes. The family contends that he was detained at the Versova police station for nearly five hours without receiving the necessary medical care, and they claim that no breathalyser test was administered during this time.

Following the initial incident, police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Kadam for reckless driving and suspected intoxication, based on a complaint from a constable who alleged that the elderly man emitted an odor of alcohol. After the FIR was lodged, Kadam was transported to Cooper Hospital for a blood alcohol test. Reports indicate that he allegedly informed medical staff at the hospital that he had consumed alcohol. However, his family later transferred him to Nanavati Hospital around 8 p.m., where subsequent tests reportedly indicated that there was no alcohol present in his system. The police have stated that they are still awaiting the results of the blood test conducted at Cooper Hospital. According to legal protocols, individuals suspected of drunk driving should receive a medical examination and blood alcohol testing prior to being taken to a police station, highlighting a potential breach of procedure in Kadam's case.