Thane Hospital Assault Case: Bombay HC Grants Bail To Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre, Orders Fast Track Trial

The Bombay High Court on Friday ordered the release of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre from judicial custody, subject to strict conditions, in a case concerning the alleged assault of doctors and staff at a hospital run by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad lifted the stay it had earlier placed on Mhatre's bail. The Court, however, directed that he must stay outside Maharashtra until the police file the chargesheet in the case. It also ordered that the trial be assigned to a fast track court and fixed strict timelines for the state to carry the criminal proceedings forward.

Flagging the seriousness of the allegations against an elected representative, the Bench observed, "In the rule of democracy the principle is that the elected representative is by the people and for the people. If an elected representative is accused of assaulting his own voters such a situation is bound to dent the fabric of democracy."

Mhatre was arrested last month for allegedly assaulting doctors and hospital staff at the KDMC's Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli on July 6. A sessions court granted him bail on July 14, but the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and stayed that bail order following a special sitting held on Saturday, July 18. He then surrendered and was sent to judicial custody. The High Court also transferred the investigation to a senior police officer.

Appearing for Mhatre on Friday, Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda told the Court that his client was willing to abide by whatever conditions were necessary to ensure a free and fair trial, and furnished details of a residence outside the state. He informed the Bench that Mhatre would live in Goa until the trial begins and report weekly to the Anjuna police station.

Taking note of the time Mhatre had already spent in custody, the Bench directed his release. It further ordered that Mhatre and his co-accused must not contact the victims, witnesses, their relatives, friends, or anyone else connected with the case. The Court clarified that Mhatre would be permitted to return to Maharashtra only once the chargesheet is filed.

The accused were also directed to cooperate fully with the trial and refrain from seeking unwarranted adjournments. The Court made clear that any violation of these conditions must be immediately brought to its notice for cancellation of bail.

To ensure the trial does not drag on, the Bench passed a detailed set of directions with clear deadlines. The registry has been asked to designate a judge for the fast track court within seven days. The state forensic laboratory must submit its report within 15 working days. The chargesheet is to be filed within 10 days, after which charges must be framed within five working days. The state government has also been directed to appoint an experienced special public prosecutor for the case, who cannot be replaced without the Court's permission.

The order comes days after the Bombay High Court had taken the unusual step of staying a sessions court's bail order entirely on its own motion, reflecting the seriousness with which it viewed the assault on hospital staff carrying out their duties. 

With Friday's order, Mhatre walks out of judicial custody, but very much under close watch. He must relocate outside Maharashtra, report weekly to a local police station in Goa, and stay off any contact with those connected to the case, until the chargesheet is filed and the fast track court takes over.

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

Date of Hearing: August 7, 2026

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