The Supreme Court on Monday expressed strong concern over repeated incidents of doctors being assaulted in Maharashtra, observing that people sharing the “same ideology” were allegedly behind such attacks.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observations while hearing a challenge filed by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre in connection with the alleged assault of doctors and hospital staff at Dombivli in July. The Court was informed of another incident involving the alleged assault of doctors in Palghar on Sunday, reportedly involving Shiv Sena workers.
Expressing concern over rising violence against healthcare workers, the Bench noted a fresh attack on doctors by the same group. When defense counsel Mukul Rohatgi clarified that different individuals were involved, the Bench led by Justice Nath, emphasized that it was referring to the shared political ideology of the attackers. Calling such brutal assaults in doctors’ chambers an issue of law and public order, the Court remarked that those responsible should be detained rather than allowed to roam free.
Mhatre was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting doctors and hospital staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli on July 6.
A sessions court granted him bail on July 14. However, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter and stayed the bail order following a special sitting on July 18.
On August 7, the High Court lifted the stay and directed Mhatre’s release subject to stringent conditions. It also transferred the case to a fast-track court and prescribed timelines for completion of the investigation, filing of the chargesheet and commencement of the trial.
Mhatre approached the Supreme Court challenging the stringent conditions, with Rohatgi arguing that the High Court’s directions, including a requirement to file the chargesheet within a week, effectively prejudged the case.
Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi argued that the High Court’s order effectively pre-judged Mhatre’s conviction. However, the Supreme Court questioned any objection to a fast-tracked trial, asking what was wrong with expediting it to send a strong message. Following the Court’s remarks, Mhatre withdrew his appeal.
The Court then took up the Maharashtra government’s separate challenge against the grant of bail. It issued notice to Mhatre and granted him three weeks to respond.
The matter will next be heard on September 28.
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