Supreme Court Backs High Court Action Against KDMC Corporator in Hospital Assault Case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that the Bombay High Court was fully justified in taking suo motu cognisance and staying the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Thane district.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih, and Sandeep Mehta observed during the hearing that individuals who attack medical professionals do not deserve bail. The top court made these observations while hearing petitions, including one filed by Mhatre, challenging the high court's orders and the bail conditions imposed on him.
The case stems from an incident on July 6, when Mhatre, a corporator of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, and others gathered at Shastri Nagar Hospital. The group allegedly assaulted doctors, including a female doctor, following an argument over an alleged delay in treating a pregnant woman. A video of the assault was widely circulated, sparking significant outrage.
A local court in Thane had initially granted bail to Mhatre on July 14. However, on July 18, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter, termed the trial court's order perverse, and stayed the bail, directing Mhatre to surrender before the police.
During the proceedings before the apex court, counsel for the petitioners argued that the high court's July 18 stay order was erroneous. The Supreme Court bench rejected the argument, noting the severe trauma experienced by medical staff during mob attacks inside healthcare facilities.
On August 7, the high court subsequently granted bail to Mhatre and three other accused persons under strict conditions, ordering them to remain outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet is filed and directing that the trial be fast-tracked in a time-bound manner.
Counsel appearing for the Maharashtra government informed the Supreme Court that the state also plans to file a petition challenging the grant of bail. The apex court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for September 7.
