Mumbai: In a major setback for Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, the Bombay High Court has cancelled the bail granted to him in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff at a civic run hospital in Dombivli. The court also set aside the bail granted to four other accused, observing that the seriousness of the case had not been properly considered while granting them relief.
The High Court directed Mhatre and the other accused to surrender before the police within the stipulated time, making it clear that strict legal action would follow if they failed to comply.
The case has drawn widespread attention across Maharashtra after a video of the assault went viral on social media. The footage allegedly showed Mhatre and his supporters confronting doctors, nurses and other hospital employees at the KDMC run Shastri Nagar Hospital over the treatment of a pregnant woman. The incident sparked outrage, with medical associations demanding strict action against those involved and stronger protection for healthcare workers.
Taking serious note of the matter, the Bombay High Court held a special hearing and questioned the manner in which bail had been granted. The bench observed that offences involving violence against doctors and public servants on duty cannot be viewed casually and that the lower court had failed to adequately assess the gravity of the allegations.
Following the incident, Vishnu Nagar Police registered an FIR against Mhatre and several others on charges including assault, criminal intimidation and obstructing public servants from discharging their duties. They were initially remanded to judicial custody before a local court granted bail earlier this week, a move that was widely criticised by doctors organisations.
The High Court’s decision has been welcomed by members of the medical fraternity, who had described the earlier bail order as disappointing. Several doctors associations maintained that attacks on healthcare workers have become increasingly common and argued that firm legal action is essential to deter such incidents.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also announced a statewide protest and called for better security at hospitals. During the hearing, the High Court appealed to doctors to reconsider their strike, assuring them that the judiciary was treating the issue with the seriousness it deserved while ensuring that justice would take its course.
The Dombivli hospital assault has once again put the spotlight on the safety of doctors and healthcare staff in government hospitals. Medical bodies have renewed their demand for strict implementation of laws aimed at protecting healthcare professionals from violence while on duty.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing before the Bombay High Court as the investigation into the case continues.