Thane, Sep 11 Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, the main accused in a hospital violence case here, on Friday appeared before the Kalyan District and Sessions Court to face formal proceedings after the police filed a 1,832-page chargesheet.
On July 6, Mhatre, a corporator of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, and the other accused gathered at Shastri Nagar Hospital and allegedly assaulted doctors after an argument over the purported delay in the treatment of a woman patient.
The chargesheet, which also names co-accused Ramesh Pawar, Pramod Nikam, Akshay Karande and Sadhana Karande, was submitted to the Kalyan District and Sessions Court on Wednesday by Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende and Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Prakash Salsingikar.
It includes statements and evidence from key witnesses, including doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and the CCTV network contractors, as per police.
On Friday, 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.
During Friday's proceedings, Judicial Magistrate Vasade formally framed charges against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
When presented with the formal charges, Mhatre and his co-accused denied all allegations.
"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 high court 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.
