A magistrate’s court in Kalyan, Maharashtra, has officially framed charges against Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre following his not guilty plea regarding the alleged assault of doctors at a hospital in Dombivli. This legal action comes after a detailed hearing occurred in which various lawyers presented their submissions.

The court proceedings involved the Special Public Prosecutor outlining the details of the incident, which has become a significant point of contention. Charges have not only been levied against Mhatre but also against four other individuals implicated in the case.

During the hearing, the magistrate inquired if the accused pleaded guilty or not guilty. All five defendants responded with a not guilty plea, indicating their intention to contest the charges in court. Four of the accused, including Mhatre, are reportedly out on bail, while Sadhana Karande, the mother of the pregnant woman central to the event, remains in custody.

Alleged Assault Incident Details

The incident in question reportedly occurred on July 6, when Mhatre, associated with the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and his aides allegedly assaulted medical personnel at the Shastri Nagar Hospital, operated by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). CCTV footage capturing the event has since circulated widely, inciting protests from various quarters. According to accounts from the accused, a nine-month-pregnant woman required urgent medical attention that day.

The family of the pregnant woman is said to have pleaded for assistance from the hospital staff, claiming that she languished in pain on a stretcher for nearly three hours without receiving any medical care, despite available beds in the maternity ward. While the doctors recommended transferring her to Sion Hospital in Mumbai, Mhatre contended that a red alert had reportedly been issued due to adverse weather conditions, which complicates patient transfers.

As the woman’s condition appeared to deteriorate, her relatives sought assistance from Mhatre, the designated corporator for their area. He claims that upon arriving at the hospital, he requested the attending doctors to provide immediate care. However, Mhatre alleged that he was met with disrespectful treatment, and derogatory comments were directed towards him by the medical staff, allegedly escalating the situation.

Legal Framework and Charges Against Defendants

The five accused now face a range of charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include provisions related to assault and causing bodily harm, assaulting a public servant, unlawful assembly, and rioting. Additional accusations encompass criminal intimidation, intentional insult, and breaches of conduct respecting the dignity of women.

Moreover, the accused have been booked under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, alongside Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, for allegedly contravening directives aimed at preserving public order. As the trial advances, the legal implications of the incident are expected to unfold in the coming months, following the defendants’ not guilty pleas.

As the case develops, it continues to draw attention from various sectors, reflecting broader concerns regarding hospital protocols, patient care, and the responsibilities of public representatives toward their constituents in crises. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the critical intersections between health care and governance.

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