Supreme Court Questions Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre Over Doctor Assault, Says Attacks on Medical Staff Cannot Be Taken Lightly
The Supreme Court has taken a strong view of the alleged assault of doctors at Shastrinagar Hospital in Kalyan, Maharashtra, involving Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre. The Court questioned how an elected representative could enter a hospital and allegedly assault doctors who were performing their duties.
The matter concerns an incident of July 6, 2026, when Mhatre and others allegedly confronted hospital staff following a dispute involving treatment of a patient. Three doctors were allegedly assaulted inside the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation-run hospital. An FIR was subsequently registered against Mhatre and others.
The Supreme Court was examining Mhatre’s challenge to the Bombay High Court’s orders concerning his bail. The Bench questioned the justification for attacking doctors and indicated that it was inclined to uphold the High Court’s earlier intervention in the matter.
During the hearing, the Court made strong oral observations about violence against medical professionals. It questioned what would happen to public healthcare if doctors and other medical personnel were subjected to threats and physical attacks while working in hospitals.
Mhatre’s counsel argued that the Bombay High Court had imposed excessively stringent conditions while granting him bail. The defence also sought directions concerning the filing of the chargesheet, while the State indicated that it intended to seek cancellation of Mhatre’s bail.
The Bombay High Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the incident after doctors raised concerns over the assault and the manner in which Mhatre had initially obtained bail. It had stayed the Magistrate’s bail order and directed him to surrender.
The High Court later granted Mhatre bail subject to stringent conditions, including a direction that he remain outside Maharashtra until the filing of the chargesheet and report regularly to police. It also ordered steps aimed at expediting the trial and investigation.
The case has also raised concerns about the safety of the doctors who allegedly suffered the assault. Earlier proceedings before the Bombay High Court recorded allegations that one doctor had received numerous calls from unknown numbers after the incident and that another doctor had left the area because of fear. The High Court ordered police protection and directed enhanced supervision of the investigation.
The Indian Medical Association has intervened in the proceedings, supporting the doctors involved in the incident. The Bombay High Court had also directed the authorities to preserve CCTV footage of the alleged assault, while transferring investigative responsibility to a senior police officer.
The Supreme Court has not finally decided the entire bail dispute at this stage. It indicated that it would await a formal plea from the Maharashtra government seeking cancellation of Mhatre’s bail before taking the matter forward. The case therefore remains pending, while the Court’s observations underline the seriousness with which violence against healthcare workers is being viewed.
