A case has been registered against Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre and five others for allegedly assaulting two doctors at a civic-run hospital in Thane district, Maharashtra, after a family was advised to shift a newborn to another facility. The incident occurred on Monday evening at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Kalyan, run by the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), and was captured on video that later went viral on social media.
Assault Over NICU Referral
Doctors Srishti Bawiskar and Vaibhav Salunkhe had advised the relatives of a newborn to transfer the baby to another facility due to a lack of space in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Angered by this, the relatives contacted corporator Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital and allegedly abused and struck the doctors. Dr. Salunkhe sustained injuries in the assault.
The viral video purportedly shows Mhatre hitting the doctors. The incident sparked outrage among the public and medical bodies, with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) threatening to shut down all private clinics and hospitals in the region if immediate action was not taken.
FIR Filed After Protests
KDMC Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepa Shukla, along with medical staff, approached police late Monday night, but the case was not registered initially. Following widespread condemnation and pressure from the IMA, which staged a “work-stop” protest on Tuesday, and a delegation meeting with KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal, a case was registered on Tuesday night.
The FIR was filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(1) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), and 191(2) (rioting). The accused include the corporator, four male supporters, and a woman.
No Arrests Yet, Investigation Underway
Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Nemade told reporters that a probe is underway and no arrests have been made as of Wednesday. The IMA Kalyan and Dombivli unit representatives had demanded the immediate arrest of Mhatre and his associates, warning of a shutdown if their demands were not met.
The ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faced criticism for allegedly shielding the corporator. Hospital workers also staged a protest demanding action. The case highlights ongoing tensions between medical professionals and public representatives, with the IMA calling for stricter measures to protect healthcare workers.
