Bombay High Court Denies Interim Relief to Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre
On July 27, 2026, the Bombay High Court refused to grant interim relief to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre in connection with the alleged assault on three doctors at a civic hospital in Dombivli. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad directed the Maharashtra government to appoint a Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officer to lead the investigation into the case.
The bench was hearing suo motu proceedings initiated after Mhatre was initially granted bail following his arrest. The court had previously cancelled his bail on July 18. Mhatre’s counsel, Senior Advocate Abad Ponda, urged the court to release the 73-year-old corporator, stating that he has a single kidney and had surrendered in compliance with court directions. Ponda submitted that the earlier order cancelling bail had already sent a strong message against violence directed at medical personnel.
During the hearing, counsel representing the Indian Medical Association informed the bench that the female doctor involved in the incident continues to receive threatening phone calls. Counsel for the complainant doctor stated that medical staff currently work under constant fear of assault. Amicus curiae Ashok Mundargi argued that Mhatre’s continued custody is necessary to prevent him from influencing witnesses, given his influential status as a municipal corporator.
Addressing the circumstances of the incident, the bench remarked that the accused had jumped off a table, slapped a female doctor, and snatched her mobile phone. The court also noted the manner in which police had produced Mhatre before the magistrate via video conference. Advocate General Milind Sathe informed the bench that Mhatre had been admitted to a hospital after his blood pressure rose following custody.
The Chief Public Prosecutor told the court that statements from two senior medical officers and three nurses have been recorded so far, with ten additional witnesses scheduled to be examined. The High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on July 31, 2026.
