Thane: What began as a medical emergency inside a civic run hospital in Maharashtra’s Kalyan Dombivli has snowballed into a controversy over the safety of healthcare workers after a young resident doctor, allegedly assaulted by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and his supporters, resigned from his post and left Thane, saying he would “never go back.”
The doctor, who has requested anonymity over safety concerns, said the attack has left him deeply traumatised. “There is a lot of fear. I have resigned and left Thane. I will never go back,” he said, days after CCTV footage of the assault triggered outrage across the state.
How the incident unfolded
The incident took place on Monday evening at the KDMC run Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli.
According to hospital officials and police, a pregnant woman was brought to the hospital for treatment. After examining her condition, doctors informed the family that the newborn would require specialised neonatal care that was unavailable at the facility. They advised shifting the baby to another hospital equipped with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Instead of accepting the medical advice, tensions escalated.
Soon, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly arrived at the hospital along with several supporters and relatives of the patient. Hospital staff allege that an argument quickly turned violent.
CCTV footage, which later went viral on social media, allegedly shows Mhatre slapping a woman doctor before he and others physically assaulted doctors, nurses and hospital employees. Staff members alleged that security personnel were unable to stop the mob as chaos spread through the hospital corridors.
“I became their punching bag”
The 26 year old resident medical officer said he was targeted simply because he happened to be the only male doctor present at the scene.
“I was the only male doctor there, so I became their punching bag,” he recalled while describing the assault.
He said the attack did not end with the physical violence. Over the next two days, he allegedly received threatening calls and messages, forcing him to keep changing locations out of fear for his safety. The young doctor also revealed that he chose not to inform his mother a school teacher and his only parent about the incident because he did not want to worry her.
Doctors resign and protest
Following the assault, the resident doctor and several other hospital staff members who were allegedly attacked submitted their resignations.
Medical professionals across KDMC hospitals launched a protest, suspending routine OPD services while continuing emergency treatment. Doctors demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and stronger security arrangements inside government hospitals, arguing that healthcare workers cannot function under constant fear of violence.
Police action
Following widespread outrage and mounting pressure from the medical community, police registered an FIR against corporator Ramesh Mhatre and others named in the case.
Mhatre was later arrested. Shortly after his arrest, he was admitted to Thane Civil Hospital after reporting health issues. Authorities have said the investigation into the assault is continuing.
Political reactions
The incident has sparked sharp political reactions across Maharashtra.
While leaders from across party lines condemned the assault on doctors, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad drew criticism after suggesting the incident happened “in anger,” even as he acknowledged that attacking doctors was wrong. Meanwhile, MP Shrikant Shinde publicly condemned the violence and called for strict action against those responsible.
Bigger questions over doctors safety
The episode has once again highlighted the growing concern over violence against healthcare professionals in India. Medical associations say attacks on doctors are becoming increasingly common, particularly in government hospitals where overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure and emotional distress among patients’ families often create volatile situations.
For the young doctor who left Thane with his resignation letter, however, the debate has become deeply personal. His decision to walk away from the profession’s frontlines in the city reflects the fear many healthcare workers say they now live with every day.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited calls for stronger legal protection, better hospital security and zero tolerance for violence against medical professionals.
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