Supreme Court stays bail granted to Ramesh Mhatre in Thane doctors’ assault case

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the High Court order granting bail to Ramesh Mhatre in the Thane doctors’ assault case and directed him to surrender within three days.

The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing Maharashtra’s plea seeking cancellation of Mhatre’s bail.


During the hearing, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mhatre, submitted that the case was a Magistrate trial and that the maximum punishment for the principal offence was five years.

Dave pointed out that two witnesses had already been examined and that the complainant, a woman doctor, was scheduled to be examined on October 3. “The trial has started and there is no obstruction,” Dave submitted, adding that Mhatre had already spent time in custody and was cooperating with the proceedings.

Emphasising that the plea concerned cancellation of bail, Dave argued that a higher threshold had to be met. “This is a cancellation of bail. A higher standard has to be met,” he submitted.

Justice Sandeep Mehta, however, highlighted the broader implications of the alleged assault on doctors and the medical fraternity. “Medical fraternity serves the people. They cannot be attacked in this manner,” the Court observed.

Dave responded that the concern expressed by the Court could not be disputed, but submitted that ultimately “it is a criminal case” which had to be decided on the basis of evidence.

The State also referred to Mhatre’s antecedents and pointed to multiple cases against him.

Dave, however, submitted that Mhatre had been acquitted in 18 of the 19 cases cited against him.

The Court then directed that the records of those cases be called for as well. “Call for the records of those cases also,” the Court said.

The Bench was also informed that the trial court was expected to proceed with several witnesses, with the High Court having indicated a timeline for completion of the proceedings.

After hearing the parties, the Supreme Court granted leave and stayed the High Court order. The Court directed Mhatre to surrender within three days.

Notably, on September 7, the Court had expressed serious concern over repeated incidents of alleged assaults on doctors and hospital staff in Maharashtra, observing that such incidents cannot be treated merely as routine law-and-order issues.
Background
On September 1, the Court had indicated that it may cancel the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, accused of assaulting doctors at a hospital in Kalyan, Mumbai.

The Bench while hearing Mhatre’s plea challenging conditions imposed by the Bombay High Court while granting him bail, directed the State of Maharashtra to formally move an application seeking cancellation of his bail.

The proceedings arise from allegations concerning the assault of doctors and staff at a hospital operated by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.

Notably, in August the division bench of Bombay High Court had ordered the release of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre from judicial custody, subject to strict conditions. The bench had 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.

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.

Case Title: Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre v. The High Court of Judicature of Bombay

Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta

Hearing Date: September 28, 2026

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