07 September,2026 02:58 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The Supreme Court has sought Ramesh Mhatre’s response in the Thane doctor assault case. File pic
The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government challenging his bail in a case related to the alleged assault of doctors at a Thane hospital in July.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to Mhatre and asked him to respond within three weeks. The matter will next be heard on September 28.
While issuing the notice, the bench expressed concern over repeated incidents of attacks on doctors and observed that people involved in such assaults should not be allowed to move freely.
"These people don't deserve to roam on the streets. Things are going from bad to worse," the bench observed, referring to another reported incident in Palghar. The court said a strong message should be sent to deter similar attacks in society.
The Supreme Court was hearing multiple pleas, including Mhatre's challenge to conditions imposed by the Bombay High Court while granting him bail. Mhatre later withdrew his own appeal.
The top court had earlier said the Bombay High Court was justified in taking suo motu cognisance of the case and staying the bail granted to Mhatre by a trial court. It had also observed that people accused of attacking doctors did not deserve bail.
On July 18, the Bombay High Court had stayed the trial court's bail order, describing it as "perverse", and directed Mhatre to surrender before police.
However, on August 7, the high court granted bail to Mhatre and three other accused, while imposing strict conditions. It also directed that the trial be expedited and completed within a fixed timeframe.
The case relates to an alleged assault at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Thane on July 6. Mhatre and other accused had gathered at the hospital following an argument involving the treatment of a pregnant woman.
Family members of the woman had allegedly accused hospital staff of delaying her treatment. The confrontation subsequently escalated, with doctors allegedly being assaulted.
Mhatre, a corporator of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, was granted bail by a Thane court on July 14. The order was subsequently stayed by the Bombay High Court.
The high court later granted bail to Mhatre and the other accused on August 7, subject to stringent conditions, including an order that they remain outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet is filed.
The case had triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over violence against healthcare professionals.
(With inputs from PTI)
