Court extends stay on Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre's bail in doctor assault case

Published 31 July 2026 · health

The Bombay High Court on Friday extended the stay on the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre in the July 6 Dombivli hospital

The Bombay High Court on Friday extended the stay on the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre in the July 6 Dombivli hospital assault case and urged the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) not to accept the resignation of a woman doctor who was allegedly attacked during the incident. The court said doctors who have undergone trauma should be given time and a supportive atmosphere to return to duty. Read Full Story A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad said the accused could remain in custody at least until the completion of the test identification parade scheduled for August 4.

The matter has now been posted for further hearing on August 5. The court was hearing suo motu proceedings initiated after a Kalyan sessions court granted bail to Mhatre, which was later stayed by the High Court. During Friday’s hearing, counsel for the Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposed any relief to Mhatre, describing him as a habitual offender who could influence witnesses. The prosecution also referred to his criminal antecedents. Senior advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Mhatre, argued that the investigation was strong and denied allegations of witness intimidation. He told the court that his client was willing to comply with stringent conditions, including leaving the city or the state if required.

Advocate General Milind Sathe informed the court that statements of 17 witnesses had already been recorded and a few more were pending. He said voice samples of the accused would be collected on August 3 before the identification parade. The bench directed police protection for doctors and witnesses and asked authorities to investigate complaints regarding threatening phone calls. It also urged KDMC not to accept the resignation of the assaulted woman doctor and to create a supportive environment for her return to work. The court was informed that another assaulted doctor had left for his native village out of fear, though his statement had already been recorded before a magistrate.

The case stems from an incident at KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital on the night of July 6, when Mhatre and his aides allegedly assaulted two doctors and other staff members after the family of a newborn was advised to shift the infant to another hospital because no NICU bed was available. CCTV footage of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, triggered protests by doctors across Maharashtra and renewed demands for stronger security at hospitals. Mhatre was arrested on July 9 and remains in judicial custody as the investigation continues. Ends