The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre regarding the assault on doctors at Shastrinagar Hospital in Kalyan, emphasizing that attacks on medical professionals in hospitals cannot be taken lightly.
A Bench consisting of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice A.G. Masih reviewed Mhatre’s challenge to the bail conditions imposed by the High Court.
The bench remarked that those who attack doctors do not deserve bail. Expressing strong disapproval while refusing bail, the Bench observed that the accused showed complete disregard for the medical community. The Court highlighted the severe psychological trauma caused when a mob invades a hospital and targets innocent personnel at random.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Mhatre, contended that the Bombay High Court had set onerous bail conditions and inquired whether a direction could be issued to file a chargesheet within 10 days.
The Supreme Court indicated its inclination to uphold the Bombay High Court’s initial order staying the bail granted by the trial court. Justice Nath expressed that the High Court acted “very justifiably” in taking suo motu cognizance of the incident.
When Rohatgi asserted that Mhatre had “no personal animosity” towards the doctors, the Court pointed out that the video of the incident had already gone viral. The State, represented by Advocate Siddharth Dharmadhikari, sought to challenge the bail granted to Mhatre. The Indian Medical Association, represented by AoR Prabhas Bajaj, also intervened to oppose the bail.
The Court decided to await the State’s petition for bail cancellation and scheduled the matter for Monday. Mhatre has approached the Supreme Court contesting two orders from the Bombay High Court in suo motu proceedings related to the assault on doctors at the Kalyan Dombivili Municipal Corporation’s Shastri Nagar General Hospital. His Special Leave Petition challenges the High Court orders dated July 18 and August 7, 2026.
The incident in question occurred on July 6, involving a nine-month pregnant woman in acute labor who was allegedly left waiting for several hours. Mhatre claims he arrived at the hospital after repeated calls from the woman’s family, leading to an altercation with hospital staff. An FIR was filed on July 7, naming Mhatre as Accused No. 1. Bail was granted by the Kalyan magistrate on July 14, citing Mhatre’s age, medical condition, lack of flight risk, and the securing of principal CCTV evidence. Following protests from doctors, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance on July 18, stayed the bail order, and directed Mhatre to surrender. After two weeks, the High Court granted bail again. The petition also challenges the strict conditions imposed by the High Court, which include requiring Mhatre to reside in Calangute, Goa, report three times weekly at Anjuna Police Station, and remain outside Maharashtra until the trial begins. Additionally, it contests directives involving a fast-track trial, forensic examination, filing of the chargesheet, and the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor.
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