Assault on Doctors: Why Bombay High Court Told Ramesh Mhatre To Stay out of Maharashtra
The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, accused of assaulting doctors at a Kalyan hospital. He must reside in Goa and stay out of Maharashtra until the chargesheet is filed. The Court ordered a fast-track trial with strict timelines for evidence and proceedings to ensure accountability for the elected representative.
The Bombay High Court today, August 7, ordered the release of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre from judicial custody, imposing stringent conditions in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and staff at a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation hospital. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad lifted a previous stay on Mhatre’s bail, but mandated that he remain outside the state of Maharashtra until the police file a chargesheet in the case.
Court Highlights Democracy and Accountability
The Court underscored the gravity of the allegations, particularly given Mhatre's status as an elected official, reports Bar and Bench. "In the rule of democracy the principle is that the elected representatives is by the people and for the people. If an elected representatives is accused of assaulting his own voters such a situation is bound to dent the fabric of democracy," the bench noted. Dombivli Hospital Assault Row: Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Refuses To Admit Hitting Doctor, Claims He Hit Her Phone.
Case Background
Mhatre was arrested in July 2026 following an incident on July 6 at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli. While a sessions court granted him bail on July 14, the High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter, stayed the bail order on July 18, and remanded Mhatre back into judicial custody.
Stringent Bail Conditions
To ensure a free and fair trial, the Court has imposed several conditions on Mhatre:
- Relocation: Mhatre must reside outside Maharashtra - specifically in Goa - until the chargesheet is filed. He is required to report weekly to the Anjuna police station.
- Non-Interference: Both Mhatre and his co-accused are strictly prohibited from contacting the victims, witnesses, or anyone connected to the case.
- Legal Compliance: The Court warned that any breach of these conditions will result in the immediate cancellation of his bail. Dombivli Hospital Doctor Assault Case: Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre, 3 Others Sent to Police Custody Till July 13.
Fast-Track Trial and Timelines
The High Court has taken proactive measures to expedite the proceedings, ordering that the trial be assigned to a fast-track court. The bench set specific deadlines for the State:
- Forensic Reports: Must be submitted within 15 working days.
- Chargesheet Filing: To be completed within 10 days.
- Framing of Charges: To occur within five working days after the chargesheet is filed.
Furthermore, the state is required to appoint an experienced special public prosecutor who cannot be replaced without the Court's permission. The registry has been directed to designate a judge for the fast-track court within seven days.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2026 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
