"Protect Citizens, Not Accused": Bombay HC Extends Stay On Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre's Bail

Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre will remain behind bars after the Bombay High Court, hearing a suo motu case over the assault on doctors at a Thane civic hospital, refused to lift its stay on the bail granted to him and went on to add the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) as a party while allowing the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to intervene in the matter.

A sessions court in Kalyan granted him bail on July 14. The High Court, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, held a special sitting on July 18, a Saturday, and stayed that bail order. During the hearing, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad was sharply critical of the way the case had been handled, particularly the "VIP treatment" it felt Mhatre had received.

The Court had learnt that after his arrest, Mhatre's blood pressure had reportedly shot up to 160/100, following which he was admitted to hospital and produced before the magistrate through video-conferencing rather than in person.

The bench was unimpressed: "For blood pressure of 160/100 he was admitted? When we sit here in this court and some lawyers argue anything, even our BP goes 160/100. Even we should get admitted?" the Acting Chief Justice remarked. The bench also indicated it may order an inquiry into the police officer responsible for the decision to produce him virtually, saying it wanted "the name of this officer, who after arresting the accused came up with this innovative idea."

When the Advocate General explained that Mhatre had allegedly collapsed and was therefore shifted to hospital, the bench shot back, "But while beating the doctors brutally, he didn't collapse?" It went on to observe, referring to visuals of the assault, "While he was brutally assaulting the doctors, he didn't seem he is 73 but he seemed to be of 25 years. The way he thrashed those doctors, including women, we are surprised that they are alive today."

Advocate Sana Raees Khan, appearing for Mhatre, urged the Court to take note of his age and health, submitting that he is a 73-year-old social worker living with a single functioning kidney and multiple other ailments, and that he had gone to the hospital only intending to help during what she described as an emotionally charged medical emergency.

The bench was not persuaded: "So what? Beating a doctor is the best option?" it asked, adding that if a lawyer declined to take up a case, that would not entitle the litigant to assault the lawyer. When Khan pointed out that Mhatre had surrendered voluntarily, the Acting Chief Justice responded that this reflected no obligation towards society, and that he should "be in for some more time."

The Court refused to lift the stay on Mhatre's bail, ensuring he continues to remain in custody. Khan, who now also represents the other accused lodged in Adharwadi Jail, Kalyan, tendered an affidavit in reply on Mhatre's behalf. Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the State, placed on record a compliance report along with documents including the FIR, witness statements and earlier remand orders.

The Court also allowed an intervention application filed by the IMA, whose members include the three doctors assaulted on July 6. Senior Advocate S.U. Kamdar, appearing for the association, told the Court that it "stands by" the doctors and argued that an Institutional FIR ought to have been registered within six hours of the incident, in line with a 2024 central government circular meant to protect healthcare workers from violence.

Calling the KDMC's inaction "conspicuous," Kamdar's submission persuaded the bench to add the civic body itself as a respondent, through its Commissioner, so that it can explain its silence.

The Court further directed the State to preserve CCTV footage from Thane Civil Hospital for select dates in July, and asked the KDMC to secure footage of the actual assault from Shastrinagar Hospital, so that it may examine the visuals if required. Amicus Curiae Ashok Mundargi told the bench he would prepare a formal petition, along with all annexures, for the next hearing.

The Court was informed that Mhatre, after surrendering to the Vishnunagar Police Station, was produced before the magistrate on July 19 and has been remanded to custody till August 3. Importantly, the bench made clear that its earlier order staying the bail granted to Mhatre would continue until further orders.

The case dates back to July 6, when Mhatre and his aides allegedly attacked two doctors and other staff at Shastrinagar Hospital, run by the KDMC, after a dispute over the treatment of a pregnant woman. The doctors had advised shifting the patient to another facility because no NICU bed was available. Her family is alleged to have contacted Mhatre, following which the assault took place. Mhatre was arrested on July 8 along with five others and booked for assaulting a public servant, causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and rioting, among other offences.

The assault had triggered widespread outrage within the medical fraternity, prompting doctors across Maharashtra to go on a statewide strike. While staying the bail earlier, the High Court had also appealed to doctors to reconsider withdrawing their services, in the larger public interest.

The case will next be heard on July 27, 2026.

Case Title: High Court on its own motion v. Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre & Ors.

Date of Order: July 22, 2026

Bench: Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad