The Bombay High Court has denied bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors at a municipal hospital. The court dismissed claims for leniency based on age, citing video evidence of the incident.
Detailed Coverage
The Bombay High Court has dismissed a request for leniency from Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre regarding his involvement in the alleged assault of medical staff at the Shastri Nagar Hospital. The incident took place on July 6, 2026, at a facility run by the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad, rejected arguments made by the defense regarding Mhatre’s age and health conditions. The defense had requested relief for the 73-year-old, citing multiple ailments. However, the court observed that footage of the event showed Mhatre acting with significant physical energy, which contradicted the argument for leniency based on his physical state.
Legal Proceedings and Hospital Footage
The court has issued strict instructions regarding evidence preservation. The Maharashtra government is required to maintain CCTV footage from Thane Civil Hospital, and the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital must ensure the preservation of recordings from the evening of July 6. These steps are part of the ongoing judicial process following the initial arrest of Mhatre on July 9. Although a lower court had previously granted bail, the High Court took independent notice of the case, cancelled that order, and instructed Mhatre to surrender.
Impact on Medical Staff and Professional Bodies
The incident has had a direct impact on the hospital's operations. Reports indicate that the two medical professionals allegedly targeted in the assault, Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe and resident medical officer Dr. Srishti Baviskar, have resigned from their positions, citing psychological trauma. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has formally intervened in the legal proceedings to represent the interests of the affected doctors. The court's focus remains on the integrity of the evidence and the judicial process, with Mhatre currently remaining in judicial custody as the case progresses.