A Kalyan court on Tuesday granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, arrested for assaulting doctors at a civic hospital in Dombivli on July 6. The bail was approved on a cash bond of Rs 50,000.
Assault Case and Arrest Details
Mhatre and three associates were sent to judicial custody on July 13 after their arrest in connection with the incident at Shastri Nagar Hospital, run by the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). The assault followed a dispute over the transfer of a newborn due to a shortage of NICU beds.
A viral video showed Mhatre slapping and punching Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe and striking resident medical officer Dr. Srishti Baviskar. The footage sparked public outrage, prompting the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to demand action.
Charges and Political Reactions
Police booked Mhatre and five others under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault on a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and rioting. He was arrested on July 9 but later hospitalized for chest pain, citing high blood pressure and a single kidney.
The incident drew criticism across party lines. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reprimanded Mhatre, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray called for his removal from party and public posts.
Aftermath and Protests
Doctors and healthcare workers in Kalyan-Dombivli protested, disrupting services at multiple hospitals. The two assaulted doctors submitted their resignations, with colleagues citing deep distress over the attack.
