Thane Doctor Assault Case: Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Granted Bail; Three Co-Accused Remain in Jail

The Kalyan District and Sessions Court on Tuesday, July 14, granted bail to Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) corporator Ramesh Sukanya Mhatre, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting two doctors and other hospital staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, Thane district. The court ordered his release on a ₹50,000 surety bond after hearing submissions from both the defense and the prosecution, The Hindu reported.

Mhatre was arrested on July 8, two days after the alleged assault at the civic-run hospital triggered widespread outrage and protests by doctors' organizations. According to The Hindu, the defense sought bail on medical grounds, while the prosecution did not oppose the plea. Mhatre has been admitted to Thane District Government Hospital since the night of July 13 for medical reasons.

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

The Hindu reported that Mhatre spent two days in police custody before the court remanded him to judicial custody. After his remand ended on July 13, his counsel moved a bail application, which the court allowed the following day.

The three co-accused—Ramesh Pawar, Akshay Karande, and Pramod Nikam—remain in judicial custody at Adharwadi Jail. Their bail pleas are scheduled for hearing on July 15.

The case stems from the July 6 incident at KDMC's Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, where Mhatre and his associates allegedly confronted doctors after a family was advised to shift a newborn to another hospital because the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was full, according to NDTV. Videos of the alleged assault on two doctors and other hospital staff later went viral, triggering widespread condemnation.

A NICU provides intensive care for premature, critically ill, or high-risk newborns. If no bed is available, hospitals generally transfer babies requiring advanced treatment to another center with available capacity.

Following the incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and doctors' groups demanded stronger security measures at government hospitals and strict action against those accused after videos of the alleged assault surfaced online.

While Mhatre has secured bail, the criminal case remains before the court. The bail pleas of the remaining three accused are scheduled to be heard on July 15.

(Rh/TP/MSM)