Thane, Sep 11 A court in Kalyan in Thane district on Friday framed charges against Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four others in a hospital violence case.
On July 6, Mhatre, a corporator of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, and co-accused Ramesh Pawar, Pramod Nikam, Akshay Karande and Sadhana Karande allegedly assaulted doctors and other staff at the Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivali West over purported delay in the treatment Sadhana's pregnant daughter.
The charges were formally framed in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Nilesh Vasade, Special Public Prosecutor Prakash Salsingikar said, adding the court has set the next date of hearing for September 15.
As per the 1819-page chargesheet, accused Sadhana Sharad Karande brought her pregnant daughter to the labour ward at Shastri Nagar Hospital. Upon reviewing the sonography report, the attending doctors, complainant Dr Vaibhav Namdev Salunke and Dr Srushti Mahendra Baviskar, found two loops of the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck.
Because the delivery required immediate NICU support, which was unavailable at the hospital, doctors advised transferring the patient to Sion Hospital in Mumbai. Karande refused the transfer, and contacted Mahtre, who came with other accused and assaulted the staff.
Mhatre slapped Dr Salunke, and also abused and assaulted Dr Baviskar as well as nursing staffers, as per the chargesheet.
Mhatre and the four others have been been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assault, causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal intimidation, intentional insult, outraging the modesty of a woman, and obstructing public servants from performing their duties.
Additionally, they face charges under Sections 3 and 4 of Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, alongside Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act for violating a prohibitory order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Branch Thane.
Mhatre on Friday appeared before the Kalyan District and Sessions Court to face formal proceedings after the police filed a 1,819-page chargesheet.
The chargesheet, submitted to the court on Wednesday by Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende and Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Prakash Salsingikar, includes statements and evidence from key witnesses, including doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and the CCTV network contractors, as per police.
Mhatre, who represents Kopar ward in Dombivli, arrived at the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Nilesh Vasade around 9:30 am without any official security escort, VIP entourage, or fanfare.
Wearing a face mask, he navigated through the crowded court premises accompanied by only two associates.
Following directions from the Bombay High Court to expedite the investigation and conduct trial proceedings without delay, court appearances have been made mandatory for all the accused.
"Arguments were heard today from both the prosecution and defence regarding the framing of charges based on the chargesheet. The court formally framed the charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and our clients have denied them," Mhatre's lawyer Umar Kazi told reporters.
"Because the chargesheet is extensive, we requested time to thoroughly examine the material. Following a request by the Special Public Prosecutor regarding compliance under Section 330 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the court has set the next hearing for September 15," Kazi added.
Co-accused Ramesh Pawar, Pramod Nikam, and Akshay Karande were also present in court. The fifth co-accused, Sadhana Karande, remains in judicial custody at Aadharwadi Jail.
After the incident, Mhatre managed to secure bail from the Kalyan court, prompting severe backlash from the public and the Indian Medical Association, which called for a Maharashtra-wide strike. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Bombay High Court revoked his bail, describing the assault as an “attack” on the medical system.
The HC directed Mhatre to surrender within 24 hours. He was subsequently sent to Aadharwadi Jail in Kalyan, where he spent 20 days. On August 7, the HC granted him bail under stringent conditions.
In accordance with the court order, Mhatre and the three male co-accused moved to a resort in Anjuna in neighbouring Goa, where he has remained externed since August 8.
