Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre granted bail in Dombivli Hospital assault case
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Mumbai,July 15: A court in Maharashtra's Kalyan on Tuesday granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and medical staff at a civic-run hospital in Dombivli earlier this month. The court granted him bail on a cash bond of Rs 50,000.
Mhatre and three of his associates were sent to judicial custody on July 13 after their arrest in connection with the assault case. Their counsel later moved a bail application, which was allowed by the court on Tuesday.
The incident took place on the night of July 6 at Shastri Nagar Hospital, operated by the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). According to police, Mhatre and his aides allegedly assaulted two doctors and other hospital staff after the family of a newborn was advised to shift the infant to another hospital due to a shortage of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed Mhatre slapping and punching doctor Vaibhav Salunkhe and hitting resident medical officer Dr Srishti Baviskar on her hand. The footage triggered widespread public outrage.
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Following criticism and pressure from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), police registered a case against Mhatre and five others. They were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including assault on a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and rioting.
Mhatre was arrested on July 9. After his arrest, he was admitted to the Thane District Civil Hospital after complaining of chest pain. Doctors said he suffers from high blood pressure and has only one kidney. A court had earlier directed police to produce him once he was medically fit.
The assault sparked protests by doctors and healthcare workers across the Kalyan-Dombivli region. Medical services at several civic and private hospitals were affected as healthcare professionals went on strike, demanding better security and strict action against those responsible.
The two doctors who were assaulted later submitted their resignations, with colleagues stating that they were deeply shaken by the incident.