SC cancels Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre's bail in doctor assault case

SC cancels Mhatre’s bail in doctor assault case, stays Bombay HC order

The Supreme Court has cancelled the bail granted by the Bombay High Court to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting a doctor at a civic hospital. The court also stayed the High Court order granting him bail on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government.While cancelling Mhatre’s bail, the Supreme Court said the message should go “loud and clear” that the medical fraternity cannot be touched.A court in Maharashtra had framed charges against Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four others over the assault of doctors, including a female doctor, and nurses at Dombivli’s Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital following a dispute over the treatment of a pregnant woman on July 6.Mhatre, along with Pramod Nikam, Ramesh Pawar, Akshay Karande and Sadhana Karande, appeared before Fast-Track Court Judge N P Vasade two days after police filed a 1,832-page chargesheet in the case.The accused have been charged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault and causing hurt, assaulting or obstructing a public servant, unlawful assembly and rioting, common intention, criminal intimidation and intentional insult, besides offences relating to the dignity or modesty of a woman.

They have also been booked under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act and Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act for allegedly violating orders imposed to maintain public order.Mhatre had been staying in Goa after the Bombay High Court granted him conditional bail in August. The High Court had directed him to remain outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet was filed and ordered that the trial be fast-tracked for completion within three months.After the chargesheet was filed, the condition ceased to operate, following which Mhatre returned to his residence and appeared before the court earlier this month.