Thane Hospital Assault Case: Bombay HC Defers Ramesh Mhatre's Bail Plea Till Identification Parade On August 4

The Bombay High Court on Friday extended the stay on the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre in the July 6 Dombivli hospital assault case, and urged the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation not to accept the resignation of a woman doctor who was allegedly attacked during the incident.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad said doctors who have undergone trauma "should be given time and a supportive atmosphere" to return to duty, and directed that the accused remain in custody at least until the completion of the test identification parade scheduled for August 4. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 5.

The court was hearing suo motu proceedings initiated after a Kalyan sessions court granted bail to Mhatre on July 14, an order that was stayed by the High Court four days later. Following the High Court's direction, Mhatre surrendered before the authorities and is currently in judicial custody.

During Friday's hearing, counsel for the Indian Medical Association opposed any relief to Mhatre, describing him as a habitual offender who could influence witnesses, a submission the prosecution backed by pointing to his criminal antecedents.

Senior advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Mhatre, argued that the investigation was strong and denied allegations of witness intimidation, telling the court that his client was willing to comply with stringent conditions, including leaving the city or the state if required.

Advocate General Milind Sathe informed the bench that statements of 17 witnesses had already been recorded, apart from nine recorded earlier, with a few more still pending. "The voice samples of the accused persons have to be collected and also their test identification parade would be done by next week," Sathe told the court, adding that police were trying to fast-track the probe and complete it within two weeks. He said voice samples would be collected on August 3, ahead of the identification parade.

The bench directed police protection for doctors and witnesses in the case and asked authorities to investigate complaints regarding threatening phone calls made to them. It also urged the KDMC not to accept the resignation of the assaulted woman doctor and to create a supportive environment for her return to work. The court was informed that another assaulted doctor had left for his native village out of fear, though his statement had already been recorded before a magistrate.

The case stems from an incident at the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital on the night of July 6, when Mhatre and his aides allegedly assaulted two doctors and other staff members after the family of a newborn was advised to shift the infant to another hospital because no NICU bed was available. CCTV footage of the assault, which circulated widely on social media, triggered protests by doctors across Maharashtra and renewed demands for stronger security at hospitals. Mhatre was arrested on July 9 and has remained in judicial custody since, as the investigation continues.

The High Court had earlier been assured by the police that the probe against Mhatre would be completed within two weeks, after taking over the investigation through a Deputy Commissioner of Police, following the court's directions. Senior counsels Ashok Mundargi, appointed to assist the court, and S U Kamdar, appearing for the IMA, had opposed Mhatre's release, insisting he remain in custody until the probe concludes. The court had earlier indicated it would take up Mhatre's bail plea afresh once the identification parade and voice sample collection were complete.

With the test identification parade now set for August 4 and voice samples to be collected a day before, the High Court's latest order keeps Mhatre in judicial custody. The matter will now be heard on August 5.

Case Title: High Court on its own Motion vs. Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre & Ors.

Date of Hearing: July 31, 2026

Bench: Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad