19 July,2026 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ramesh Mhatre. FILE PIC
The Bombay High Court on Saturday cancelled the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and his aides in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and nurses at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, directing him to surrender before authorities by 5 pm on Sunday, July 19.
As reported by ANI, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghughe and Justice Gautam Ankhad took 'suo motu' cognisance of the matter after Mhatre was granted bail by a magistrate's court in Kalyan earlier this week.
Bombay High Court later stayed the lower court's order, observing the "gravity and seriousness of the issue" and pointing to what it described as "perversity" in the magistrate's decision to grant bail.
The bench further directed that if Mhatre fails to surrender within the stipulated time or cannot be traced, the investigating authorities would be at liberty to initiate legal proceedings, including attaching his immovable properties in accordance with due process, as per ANI.
Mhatre, a Shiv Sena corporator, is the prime accused in the case relating to the alleged assault on doctors and nurses at Shastri Nagar Hospital.
The incident, which took place earlier on July 6, sparked widespread outrage among the medical fraternity, with doctors' associations and healthcare workers condemning the attack and demanding strict action against those responsible.
The corporator had been granted bail on Tuesday, July 14 by a Kalyan magistrate's court on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The court had taken into account his medical condition after he was hospitalised following his arrest.
Following the bail order, Mhatre's counsel, advocate M.K. Qazi, said that the defence had addressed all objections raised by the prosecution and that the court, after hearing both sides, found it appropriate to grant him relief.
However, the High Court's intervention has now overturned that order, signalling the judiciary's serious view of the allegations involving violence against healthcare professionals.
According to the police, the case has been registered at 'Vishnunagar Police Station' in Dombivli under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Authorities have arrested four accused in connection with the incident so far, including Mhatre.
The alleged assault on hospital staff had triggered protests by doctors and medical associations across Maharashtra, who demanded stronger legal protection for healthcare workers and stricter punishment for those attacking medical personnel while they are on duty.
The High Court's decision is expected to have a significant bearing on the ongoing investigation and the legal proceedings in the case.
(With inputs from ANI)
