In a significant legal development, the Magistrate Court in Kalyan, Maharashtra, has granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who was embroiled in a legal battle following accusations of assaulting medical professionals at a civic hospital in Thane. The court’s decision came on Tuesday, subsequent to his judicial custody commencing on July 13.
Ramesh Mhatre had initially been placed in police custody, which concluded on July 13. Promptly thereafter, his legal representative submitted a bail application. During the court proceedings, law enforcement authorities opposed the bail request, expressing concerns that Mhatre’s release might pose a threat to the complainant doctor. They highlighted his alleged history of criminal behavior, referencing several First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against him.
The prosecution underscored the gravity of the offense, emphasizing that Mhatre’s actions involved the assault of esteemed medical professionals, thereby arguing against his release. In counter-arguments, Mhatre’s defense clarified that he had been exonerated or had proceedings dismissed in most of the cited criminal cases, with only one case still pending. Furthermore, Mhatre’s defense suggested that specific conditions could be imposed to mitigate the police’s concerns.
Addressing the court, Mhatre’s counsel also highlighted his health issues, noting that he has only one functioning kidney and suffers from multiple medical conditions, thus advocating for his bail on humanitarian grounds.
After carefully considering the arguments from both sides, the court decided to grant bail to Ramesh Mhatre, setting the bond amount at ₹50,000. The detailed order regarding this decision is anticipated soon.
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The case against Mhatre originated from an FIR that accused him and his associates of attacking two doctors and other hospital staff. This incident allegedly followed a disagreement over the transfer of a pregnant woman and her newborn due to a lack of available NICU beds. The patient’s family reportedly reached out to Mhatre, leading to the altercation on July 6.
The incident sparked public outcry and pressure from the Indian Medical Association, which threatened to initiate a shutdown of medical services if appropriate action was not taken against the perpetrators.
Following the attack, Mhatre was apprehended on July 8 alongside five other individuals. They faced charges including assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty, voluntarily causing harm, criminal intimidation, intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace, unlawful assembly, and rioting.
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After his arrest, Mhatre reported chest pains and was admitted to the Thane District Civil Hospital. Although the police requested to present him via video conferencing, the magistrate mandated his physical appearance in court, leading to his remand in police custody until July 13, before granting bail.
