HC Stays Bail for Shiv Sena Corporator in Doctor Assault Case

In a significant development, the Bombay High Court on Saturday stayed the bail granted to Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre by the Kalyan Court. Mhatre was arrested for allegedly attacking a woman doctor and assaulting two male doctors at a municipal hospital on July 6 following a dispute over patient treatment.

The High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident and news reports detailing the assault and subsequent protests by doctors. Medical professionals across Maharashtra had called for a strike, which the Indian Medical Association (IMA) was planning to lead from July 20. The court has now directed Mhatre to surrender to the Vishnu Nagar Police Station.

While hearing the case, the bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge, noted Mhatre's history of 18 prior criminal cases. The court expressed concern that the magistrate, in granting bail, did not adequately consider Mhatre's antecedents or the severity of the assault on the doctors.

The High Court appealed to doctors and the IMA to reconsider their planned strike in the larger interest of society. The incident occurred when Mhatre and associates allegedly assaulted doctors after being informed that all NICU beds were occupied, advising the family to shift the patient to another hospital.

Further, the court stated that if Mhatre does not surrender, authorities can initiate steps to attach his properties. The High Court also stayed the bail granted to co-accused in the case, emphasizing the need for due process given the circumstances.