Dombivli Doctor Assault: Shiv Sena Corporator Treated Amid Protests
A Shiv Sena corporator, Ramesh Mhatre, was treated by doctors at Thane Civil Hospital after being arrested for assaulting medical staff in Dombivli. This occurred while his colleagues protested outside, highlighting concerns over violence against healthcare workers.
Key Highlights
- Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre assaulted doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital.
- The incident on July 6, 2026, was captured on viral CCTV footage.
- Mhatre was arrested and admitted to Thane Civil Hospital for chest pain.
- Doctors protested outside the ICU where Mhatre was receiving treatment.
- Two doctors resigned citing fear and psychological trauma post-assault.
- Mhatre and aides face charges under the Maharashtra Medicare Act.
In a significant incident highlighting the persistent issue of violence against healthcare professionals in India, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli. The assault, which occurred on Monday, July 6, 2026, stemmed from a dispute after doctors advised the family of a pregnant woman to transfer her to another hospital due to the unavailability of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The family subsequently contacted Mhatre, a corporator from the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who then arrived at the hospital with his supporters.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras, and the footage, widely circulated on social media, depicted Mhatre and his associates physically attacking hospital staff, including doctors and nurses. Reports specifically named Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr. Srishti Baviskar as the doctors who were assaulted.
Following widespread outrage and condemnation from the medical fraternity and the public, Mhatre was arrested on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, after surrendering to the Thane police. Three of his alleged associates had been arrested earlier on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. However, immediately after his arrest, Mhatre complained of chest pain and other health issues, including having only one kidney and high blood pressure, leading to his admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Thane District Civil Hospital.
This development sparked further protests, with medical professionals and staff gathering outside the ICU of the same Thane Civil Hospital where Mhatre was receiving treatment. They raised slogans condemning attacks on doctors and demanding strict action against the corporator, including his disqualification from public office. Despite their protests, the hospital administration, through Additional District Civil Surgeon Dr. Dheeraj S Mahangade, affirmed that providing treatment to the corporator was their duty, even while condemning the assault. This directly verifies the core claim of the original news article's headline.
The incident had severe repercussions for the medical staff directly involved. Two doctors, including Dr. Salunkhe and Dr. Baviskar, tendered their resignations from the civic-run hospital. Their colleagues and family members cited deep psychological trauma and fear for their safety as reasons for their decision. One male doctor explicitly stated that he had left the city permanently due to fear of "goons" and would not return to work at the hospital.
Legally, Mhatre and his three co-accused were produced before a Kalyan court and remanded to police custody until Monday, July 13, 2026. They were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including assaulting a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and rioting. Crucially, charges were also filed under the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property Act, a law specifically designed to protect healthcare workers.
The political fallout was also significant. Leaders from both factions of the Shiv Sena reacted to the incident. Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde publicly stated that no one involved in the assault would be protected and that Mhatre should apologize for his actions. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also reportedly reprimanded Mhatre. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded Mhatre's immediate removal from all party and public posts, further questioning the corporator's immediate hospitalization after arrest.
The incident has reignited the national debate on the safety and security of healthcare workers in India, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of existing laws and enhanced security measures in hospitals to prevent such occurrences in the future. The public and medical associations continue to demand accountability and justice for the assaulted doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ramesh Mhatre and what was he accused of?
Ramesh Mhatre is a Shiv Sena corporator (from the Eknath Shinde faction) accused of assaulting doctors and staff at KDMC's Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, Maharashtra, on July 6, 2026.
Why did the assault occur at the Dombivli hospital?
The assault took place after doctors advised a pregnant woman's family to transfer her or her newborn to another hospital due to the unavailability of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds, which angered the family, who then contacted Mhatre.
Were the assaulted doctors and staff treated by their colleagues?
Yes, despite widespread condemnation of the assault, the medical staff at Thane District Civil Hospital fulfilled their professional duty by treating Ramesh Mhatre after he complained of chest pain post-arrest. This occurred concurrently with protests by other doctors and staff outside the hospital.
What legal action has been taken against Ramesh Mhatre?
Ramesh Mhatre and his associates were arrested and remanded to police custody. They face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including assault and criminal intimidation, as well as under the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property Act.
How did the medical community and political leaders react?
The incident triggered widespread outrage among the medical community, leading to protests and the resignation of at least two doctors. Politically, Shiv Sena leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, condemned the act and called for action, while opposition leaders demanded Mhatre's removal from public office.
