Corporator Assaults Doctors; Two Doctors Resign Amid Fear
A Shiv Sena corporator, Ramesh Mhatre, allegedly assaulted doctors and staff at a Maharashtra hospital after being advised to transfer a newborn due to NICU bed unavailability. The incident, captured on video, led to Mhatre's arrest and widespread protests by healthcare workers. Two doctors have resigned citing fear for their safety.
Key Highlights
- Corporator Ramesh Mhatre arrested for assaulting hospital staff.
- Incident occurred after doctors advised newborn transfer due to NICU shortage.
- Viral video footage shows alleged assault on doctors and nurses.
- Two doctors have resigned citing fear and trauma.
- Healthcare workers across Maharashtra protested the violence.
The alleged assault on doctors and medical staff by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre at the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, Maharashtra, has sent shockwaves across the nation, leading to widespread condemnation and protests by the medical fraternity. The incident, which occurred on the evening of July 6, 2026, stemmed from a dispute over the referral of a newborn. Doctors Srishti Baviskar and Vaibhav Salunkhe had advised the newborn's family to shift the baby to another facility due to the unavailability of beds in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Angered by this advice, the family reportedly contacted corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital with his associates. According to eyewitness accounts and viral CCTV footage, Mhatre and his supporters allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted the doctors and other hospital staff. The video clearly shows Mhatre striking a female doctor and a male doctor, with the latter reportedly sustaining injuries.
The incident triggered immediate outrage, with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other healthcare organizations calling for swift and stringent action against the perpetrators. Protests erupted across Maharashtra, with doctors and nurses demanding enhanced security and a zero-tolerance policy towards violence in healthcare settings.
Following immense public pressure and the circulation of the viral video, a case was registered against Mhatre and five others. Mhatre, initially evading arrest, surrendered to the Thane police on the evening of July 8, 2026. He was subsequently arrested and produced in court, where he was remanded to police custody. During his custody, Mhatre complained of chest pain and was admitted to Thane Civil Hospital's ICU, raising questions about preferential treatment, though he was later discharged and taken back into custody.
Mhatre, throughout the legal proceedings and in interviews, largely denied physically assaulting the female doctor, claiming the video's angle was misleading. He asserted that he only tapped her hand to get her attention as she was on the phone and not listening to his grievances. He stated that his actions were not out of arrogance but because he considered her like his daughter and that Shiv Sena's values did not permit raising a hand against women. He expressed regret over the 'physical altercation' but refused to apologize for his specific actions.
The psychological toll on the assaulted doctors has been significant. Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe, one of the doctors who was allegedly assaulted, resigned from his position and left the city, citing profound fear for his safety and trauma from the incident. He stated that he no longer felt safe returning to work and that 'goons were watching them'. Dr. Srishti Baviskar, the woman doctor who was also allegedly assaulted, has also reportedly resigned, with her parents expressing deep concern over her trauma. However, some reports indicate that the KDMC chief medical officer stated that the doctors had not formally resigned but were absent without notice.
The incident has amplified the ongoing debate about the safety of healthcare professionals in India, a country where violence against doctors is reported to be alarmingly high. Medical associations have demanded stricter implementation of the Maharashtra Medicare Act and other protective measures. The Shiv Sena party leadership, including MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde (son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde), publicly distanced themselves from Mhatre's actions, condemning the assault and assuring that disciplinary action would be taken against him.
This event underscores a critical issue of patient-doctor relations and the need for a safer working environment for those dedicated to public health, especially in under-resourced public healthcare facilities. The case highlights the challenges faced by medical staff in managing patient load and resource scarcity, while also facing the threat of physical and verbal abuse from the public and, in this instance, a political figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ramesh Mhatre and why was he arrested?
Ramesh Mhatre is a Shiv Sena corporator from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Maharashtra. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and medical staff at the Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli following a dispute over a newborn's treatment.
What was the reason for the assault?
The incident reportedly occurred after doctors advised the family of a newborn to transfer the baby to another facility due to a lack of available Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds at Shastri Nagar Hospital. The family allegedly contacted corporator Mhatre, who then arrived at the hospital with his associates.
What was the reaction of the medical community?
The assault triggered widespread outrage and protests by doctors and healthcare workers across Maharashtra. Many demanded enhanced security and stricter action against those who perpetrate violence against medical professionals. Two doctors who were allegedly assaulted have resigned, citing fear for their safety.
Has Ramesh Mhatre apologized for his actions?
Ramesh Mhatre has largely denied physically assaulting the female doctor, claiming the CCTV footage was misleading due to the camera angle. He stated he only tapped her hand to get her attention as she was on the phone and not listening. While he expressed regret over the 'physical altercation,' he has not issued a clear apology for his specific actions.