"Elected Representatives Assaulting Voters Dents Democracy": Bombay High Court Grants Bail To Shiv Sena Corporator In Doctors Assault Case

The Bombay High Court on Friday (August 07) granted bail to Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting three on duty doctors at a civic-run hospital in Dombivli.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad also granted bail to three of Mhatre's associates, who took part in the assault.

The court has imposed stern conditions on them, including that they must stay out of Maharashtra till the chargesheet is filed.

The development comes after the Court was told that the investigation was nearing completion and that the chargesheet was likely to be filed within 15 days.

While dictating the order granting bail, ACJ Ghuge observed, "The rule of democracy is elected representatives are by the people and for the people. But if any elected representative assaults voters, such a situation will dent the very fabric of democracy."

The bench made it clear that Mhatre and his men will have to remain outside Maharashtra at least until the prosecution files the chargesheet. It also directed them to report three times a week before the local police station in the State where they propose to reside during such period.

The bench has also ordered the State to provide ample police protection to the three doctors till they are confident and till there is no more threat perception.

Also, the Kalyan-Dombivili Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has been ordered not to initiate any disciplinary action against the doctors for the period that they have not reported to work post the incident.

The Court further ordered that the case be put on fast-track mode so that the trial can be completed in a time-bound manner. Further a directive is issued to the State Government to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor in the case as early as possible and the judges have made it clear that such a prosecutor will not be changed till the trial is completed.

The development comes in the High Court's suo motu proceedings initiated after Mhatre was granted bail.

The High Court had cancelled his bail stating, "In a case where accused led four more persons and attacked 3 doctors in a corporation hospital, showing his fury against the doctors and severely beating them, we think the Magistrate has taken it lightly and has not even considered Mhatre's antecedents."

While hearing the matter on July 27, the High Court had strongly condemned Mhatre's actions, stating, "People vote you for becoming their representatives but after getting elected you break their heads with files and chairs? It's quite surprising... Is this how you behave?"

It had also directed the State to appoint a Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officer as the Investigating Officer, after expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which the investigation was being handled.

Case Title: Court on its own motion vs Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre (SMWP 1 of 2026)