'I Will Never Go Back': BAMS Doctor Leaves Thane After Alleged Assault by Shiv Sena Corporator at KDMC Hospital

A 26-year-old Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) doctor has resigned from a civic-run hospital in Maharashtra’s Thane district and left the city after he was allegedly assaulted during a dispute over the availability of a neonatal intensive care unit bed.

The doctor, who worked as a resident medical officer (RMO) at Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, told The Indian Express that he feared for his safety after the incident and did not want to return. He also told multiple media outlets that he had already left Thane because he no longer felt safe staying in the city and said, "I will never go back."

The alleged assault took place on Monday, July 6, 2026. Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and others were accused of attacking doctors and other hospital staff following a dispute over a NICU bed. Police later arrested Mhatre and three other accused, according to multiple reports.

Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr. Srishti Bawiskar are other medical professionals affected in the incident. 

According to the RMO’s account reported by The Indian Express, he is from Maharashtra’s Washim district and had been working at Shastrinagar Hospital for nearly five months.

On July 6, he was reportedly on evening duty from 3 pm to 10 pm with a woman doctor, two nurses and a hospital attendant.

The dispute began when relatives of a nine-month pregnant woman sought confirmation that a NICU bed would be available for her baby. According to the reported account, an ultrasound had indicated two loops of the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck and reduced blood supply, and doctors advised an emergency Caesarean section.

The family reportedly wanted assurance of neonatal intensive care because the baby could require specialised support after delivery.

The hospital reportedly had an emergency NICU bed, but it was occupied by a critically ill newborn experiencing respiratory distress.

According to the RMO’s account, staff explained that they could not vacate the occupied bed or discharge the critically ill baby. They instead offered to coordinate care at another KDMC facility with NICU capacity.

At around 7:30 pm, the pregnant woman’s brother reportedly contacted the RMO about the bed. The doctor alleged that he subsequently received repeated calls from corporator Ramesh Mhatre.

The RMO claimed that Mhatre demanded that a NICU bed be arranged and verbally abused and threatened him after being told that no bed was available. These claims form part of the doctor’s account of the incident.

At around 8 pm, a group allegedly entered the hospital and confronted the medical team.

The RMO told The Indian Express that he was the only male doctor present and alleged that he became the main target of the attack. He said he was repeatedly punched on his face, head, chest and abdomen.

He further alleged that a hospital register was used to hit him on the head and that his phone was knocked away when he tried to contact senior officials.

According to his account, the woman doctor, two nurses and a female hospital attendant were also assaulted.

CCTV footage purportedly showing the confrontation later went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation from the medical community.

Despite the confrontation, hospital staff reportedly continued efforts to arrange care for the pregnant patient.

According to the RMO’s account, the patient was eventually transferred to KDMC’s Vasant Valley facility, where NICU care was available. Staff also reportedly coordinated with a pediatrician because the newborn was expected to require specialised care.

The incident triggered protests by doctors and hospital workers.

According to the reports, the 26-year-old RMO and four other staff members who were allegedly assaulted submitted their resignations on Tuesday, July 7.

Medical staff also staged a work stoppage, disrupting outpatient services while emergency services continued. Representatives of the Indian Medical Association’s local units and civic workers’ representatives reportedly raised the matter with KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal and demanded action.

Doctors' associations also demanded enhanced security measures at government hospitals and strict action against those responsible for the assault.

KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal reportedly assured doctors that strict action would be taken and appealed to them to resume work.

The case also drew wider attention after CCTV footage of the alleged assault circulated on social media.

Police registered a case at Vishnunagar Police Station against Ramesh Mhatre and others in connection with the alleged attack.

The Police said the case included provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault or criminal force against a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, intentional insult, unlawful assembly and rioting.

Police arrested Ramesh Mhatre in connection with the case. Three other accused were identified in reports as Akshay Karande, Ramesh Pawar and Shailesh Nikam.

NDTV reported that Mhatre denied assaulting the doctor.

In an interview published on July 9, the unnamed RMO told The Indian Express that he had resigned and did not want to return.

The doctor said he left Thane immediately after submitting his resignation and stated that he would never return to the hospital or the city because he no longer felt safe working there.

He said he had spent the following days changing locations because of fear and alleged that he had received threatening calls and messages. He also claimed that unknown individuals had followed him.

He also said he changed his mobile number after allegedly receiving threatening calls and messages following the assault.

The doctor said he had not told his mother about the assault. According to his account, she is a school teacher and a single parent, and he is her only child.

The doctor said he earned about Rs 35,000 per month despite frequently working beyond his scheduled duty hours.

He also said he was not thinking about finding another job immediately and wanted to focus on ensuring his own safety first.

The unnamed RMO also alleged that the July 6 incident was not the first case of violence against medical staff at the hospital.

He claimed that another male doctor had previously been assaulted twice and that a woman doctor had faced a similar incident around six months earlier. He further alleged that senior officials had suppressed those cases.

Following Mhatre’s arrest, the doctor said he felt a sense of relief and justice. He expressed hope that the action would send a strong message against assaults on doctors and other medical staff.

(Rh/ARC/MSM)