Assault on doctors: Bombay HC orders release of Shiv Sena's Ramesh Mhatre but asks him to stay out of Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court on Friday ordered the release of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre from judicial custody subject to stringent conditions in the case concerning the alleged assault on doctors and staff at a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation hospital. [High Court on its own motion v. Ramesh Mhatre & Ors.].A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad lifted the stay imposed by it earlier on Mhatre’s bail. However, the Court ordered that he should stay outside Maharashtra till chargesheet is filed in the case by the police. The Court further ordered that the trial in the case be assigned to a fast track court and also fixed timelines for the State to proceed with the criminal proceedings..The Bench underscored the implications of allegations against an elected representative. “In the rule of democracy the principle is that the elected representatives is by the people and for the people. If an elected representatives is accused of assaulting his own voters such a situation is bound to dent the fabric of democracy,” it said..Mhatre was arrested earlier last month for allegedly assaulting doctors and hospital staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KMDC) Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli on July 6, 2026. Although he was granted bail by a sessions court on July 14, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the same and stayed the bail order after a special sitting on July 18, Saturday. Accordingly, Mhatre surrendered and was lodged in judicial custody.The High Court also transferred the probe to a senior police officer..Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda, for Mhatre, today submitted that his client would abide by conditions to secure a free and fair trial and provided details of his residence outside Maharashtra.He informed the court that Mhatre will live in Goa until the trial commences and report weekly to Anjuna police station..The bench then directed his release considering time spent in custody.It directed Mhatre and the co-accused in the case not to contact the victim, the witnesses, their relatives, friends or anyone connected with the case. The Court also permitted Mhatre to return to Maharashtra after the chargesheet is filed in the case..The Court also ordered the accused to cooperate with trial and not seek unwarranted adjournments. Any breach must promptly be placed before the court for cancellation of bail, the Court said..The Court also directed its registry to designate a judge for a fast-track court within seven days. It ordered the State forensic laboratory to submit reports within 15 working days., The chargesheet should be filed within 10 days and charges should be framed five working days later..The State must appoint an experienced special public prosecutor, who cannot be replaced without the Court’s leave, the Bench further ordered.