The Ramesh Mhatre Bail Case saw the Bombay High Court refuse to lift a stay on bail granted to former Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre.
The Division Bench comprised Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad.
The court also criticised police and state authorities during the hearing.
It stressed that law enforcement agencies must protect law-abiding citizens.
They must not shield accused persons from legal scrutiny.
Case Involves Alleged Assault at Hospital
The case arose from an incident at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Kalyan.
Doctors advised the transfer of a pregnant woman and her newborn.
The hospital reportedly lacked available Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds.
The patient’s family then contacted Mhatre.
According to the allegations, Mhatre arrived at the hospital with associates.
He allegedly assaulted three doctors and other hospital staff.
The police registered an FIR against Mhatre and five others.
The charges included assault on public servants, criminal intimidation, and rioting.
The case also invoked relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and other special laws.
High Court Stayed Sessions Court Bail Order
A Kalyan sessions court later granted bail to Mhatre.
The Bombay High Court then took suo motu cognizance of the matter.
It held a special sitting on a Saturday.
The court stayed the sessions court’s order granting bail.
The Division Bench has now refused to remove that stay.
The court will continue examining the matter.
Court Rejects Health-Based Bail Argument
Advocate General Milind Sathe appeared for the State of Maharashtra.
He informed the Bench that authorities physically produced Mhatre before the magistrate.
The magistrate had rejected a request for video-conferencing production.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan represented Mhatre.
She urged the court to consider his age and medical condition.
Mhatre is 73 years old.
His counsel referred to his medical problems.
These reportedly include one functioning kidney and hypertension.
The defence also claimed that Mhatre visited the hospital as a social worker.
It said he wanted to help during a medical emergency.
However, the Bench did not accept the argument at this stage.
Court Comments on Alleged Physical Aggression
The judges examined video footage connected with the incident.
The footage allegedly showed significant physical aggression.
The Bench also made a pointed observation about Mhatre’s age.
The judges remarked that he appeared “more energetic than a 25-year-old” during the alleged assault.
The observation came while the court considered the defence’s health-based arguments.
IMA Joins Proceedings
The High Court allowed the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to intervene.
The court added the organisation as a respondent in the proceedings.
Senior Advocate C.U. Kamdar appeared for the IMA.
He argued that institutions should register FIRs quickly after violence against healthcare workers.
According to the submission, central guidelines require FIRs within six hours in such cases.
The IMA also highlighted concerns about violence against medical professionals.
Court Orders Preservation of CCTV Footage
The Bench also issued directions to preserve important evidence.
It directed the authorities to download and secure CCTV footage from Shastri Nagar Hospital.
The footage must cover the date of the alleged incident.
The court also ordered the preservation of recordings from Thane Civil Hospital.
Authorities must produce the relevant footage before the court.
The Bench has scheduled the matter for detailed consideration on July 27, 2026.
The Ramesh Mhatre Bail Case highlights the Bombay High Court’s concern over violence against healthcare workers and the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies.
