Former Corporator Sent to 4-Day Police Custody for Assault on Woman Doctor in Thane

A sessions court in Thane district on Wednesday remanded former Shiv Sena (Shinde group) corporator Ramesh Mhatre to four days of police custody for allegedly assaulting a woman doctor on duty at a hospital in Dombivli. The court's order came after Mhatre was declared medically fit following a brief hospitalization for chest pain, which police suspected was an attempt to evade arrest.

The case stems from an incident at Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli on an unspecified date. According to the complaint filed by the woman doctor, Mhatre entered the hospital premises and assaulted her following a dispute over the treatment of a patient. Police registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Following the registration of the case, police teams attempted to locate Mhatre for arrest. According to police sources, Mhatre approached CPR Hospital in Thane and complained of chest pain, after which he was admitted. Police later reached the hospital, and after a medical examination, doctors declared him fit for custody. He was then taken into custody and produced before a magistrate's court.

In court, the prosecution argued for police custody to investigate the motive behind the assault and the sequence of events leading to the incident. The defence opposed the remand. After hearing both sides, the court ordered Mhatre to be held in police custody for four days, with the next hearing scheduled for July 13.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other local doctors' bodies have welcomed the court's decision. In a statement, the organisations demanded stricter laws and their enforcement to prevent attacks on medical professionals. They highlighted the need for a safe working environment for doctors, particularly women.

The incident has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Opposition leaders attacked the state government, questioning the law and order situation. Aditya Thackeray, leader of the rival Shiv Sena faction, criticised the government, specifically targeting Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He questioned why the police act swiftly against ordinary citizens but show leniency towards members of the ruling alliance. He also criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of avoiding accountability by resorting to hospitalisation when political questions arise.

The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of attacks on healthcare workers in Maharashtra. Previous incidents have led to calls from the medical fraternity for a central law to protect doctors and hospital staff. The court's decision in this case, where a former public representative is now in police custody, has become a point of focus for debate on accountability of public figures and the application of law.