Bombay High Court cancels bail of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre over doctors assault

The Bombay High Court, in a special suo motu sitting, stayed the bail previously granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four of his associates for assaulting three doctors at Shastri Nagar municipal hospital in Dombivli, Maharashtra. Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad ordered Mhatre to surrender to the Dombivli police station by 5 p.m. on July 19, warning that his immovable property could be attached if he failed to appear. The bench criticised the lower‑court magistrate for overlooking Mhatre’s criminal history, noting he has 18 cases on record, including serious offences.

The assault occurred on July 6 after a family was asked to move a newborn due to a lack of NICU beds; the family contacted Mhatre, who arrived with supporters and physically attacked the staff. The incident triggered a statewide doctors’ strike plan for July 22, which the High Court urged doctors to reconsider, emphasizing their duty to society. The court also cancelled the bail of the four other accused and highlighted procedural lapses by the police and magistrate in the original order.