Shiv Sena Corporator Arrested After Outrage Over Doctors’ Assault

Mumbai: The police on Wednesday arrested Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre following widespread outrage over his alleged assault on doctors and nurses at a Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) hospital. The arrest came after medical bodies, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), launched a “stop work” strike and shut private clinics to demand swift legal action.

Although Mhatre publicly apologised, claiming that the victim doctor was “like a daughter” and denying any physical assault, mounting political pressure and CCTV footage of the incident prompted the police to arrest him and three associates.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende said, “The Vishnunagar police arrested the main accused in this case, Shinde Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, on Wednesday afternoon.”

Based on CCTV footage from the hospital, the police had arrested three men, allegedly acting as Mhatre’s private bodyguards, late on Tuesday night. They were identified as Ramesh Laxman Pawar (50), Prakash alias Prakash Uddhav Nikam (35), and Akshay Sharad Karande (30).

According to the police, Mhatre and his supporters allegedly abused and assaulted Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr Srishti Bawiskar. They also allegedly behaved aggressively towards two nurses. While the three associates were arrested soon after the incident, Mhatre initially remained at large and issued a public apology. This triggered public outrage, following which the police took him into custody on Wednesday.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde condemned the incident, saying, “Shiv Sena firmly stands behind the doctors and the party will not support this act in any way. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against corporator Ramesh Mhatre for committing this crime.”

Following the statement, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena issued a disciplinary notice to Mhatre.

According to reports, the incident was triggered after a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy was brought to the KDMC hospital. Doctors reportedly informed her family that the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was full and advised them to shift her to another medical facility equipped to provide specialised neonatal care.

The woman’s family then approached local corporator Mhatre for assistance. He allegedly arrived at the hospital along with his supporters, confronted the medical staff, and assaulted two doctors while they were on duty.