A Shiv Sena corporator and five others have been booked for assaulting two doctors and hospital staff at a civic hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district on Monday evening after the family of a newborn was advised to shift the baby to another facility.

Incident and Immediate Aftermath

The incident took place at the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation-run Shastri Nagar Hospital in Kalyan. According to police, doctors Srishti Bawiskar and Vaibhav Salunkhe advised the relatives of a newborn to shift the baby to another facility due to a lack of space in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The relatives contacted corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who allegedly abused and hit the doctors.

The assault was captured on video and went viral on social media, sparking public outrage and prompting the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to threaten to shut clinics and hospitals in the area if immediate action was not taken. Hospital workers staged a work-stop protest, and a delegation of the IMA's Kalyan and Dombivli units met KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal.

Political Fallout and Investigation

The incident triggered a political row, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticizing the government for allegedly shielding the corporator. Ruling Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde condemned the assault and assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty. The case was registered against Mhatre and five others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections related to assault on a public servant, causing hurt, and other charges.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Nemade confirmed that an investigation is underway, and no arrests have been made so far. The IMA demanded the immediate arrest of Mhatre and his supporters, and the case is being closely watched by the medical community and the public.

  • Case registered against Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre and 5 others
  • Charges include assault on a public servant, causing hurt, and criminal intimidation
  • Investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made so far

The case has now moved to a formal investigation stage, with the outcome awaited by the medical community and the public. The incident has highlighted concerns about law and order and the need for accountability in public offices.