The Supreme Court on Monday cancelled the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors and hospital staff at a municipal hospital in Dombivli, Maharashtra.

A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta allowed the Maharashtra government's appeal against the Bombay High Court's order granting bail to Mhatre and directed him to surrender within three days. 

“Medical fraternity cannot be touched”

During the hearing, the Supreme Court stressed the need for a strong message against attacks on healthcare professionals.

Justice Sandeep Mehta orally observed that “the message must go loud and clear” and that the medical fraternity cannot be attacked in this manner. The Court noted that doctors serve the public and attacks against them cannot be treated lightly. 

The Court, however, did not interfere with the Bombay High Court's direction for an expedited trial. 

What happened in the case?

The incident allegedly took place on 6 July 2026 at the Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli, after doctors advised the family of a pregnant woman to shift her to another hospital because the hospital's NICU beds were occupied.

Mhatre and others were subsequently accused of assaulting three doctors at the hospital. He was arrested two days after the incident. (The Indian Express)

A Magistrate in Kalyan granted Mhatre bail on 14 July, taking into consideration factors including his age, medical condition, alleged lack of flight risk and the securing of the principal CCTV evidence. 

The Bombay High Court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter following protests by doctors and stayed the bail order. On 7 August, the High Court granted bail subject to stringent conditions. 

Among the conditions reported were that Mhatre remain outside Maharashtra until commencement of trial and report to a police station regularly. 

Supreme Court had earlier questioned bail

The Supreme Court had previously expressed strong concern over the alleged assault on doctors. During an earlier hearing, the Bench had questioned how anyone could enter a hospital and assault medical personnel, observing that attacks on doctors inside hospitals could not be treated lightly.

The Court had also taken note of a subsequent alleged assault on hospital staff in Palghar involving persons associated with the same political organisation. 

State's appeal allowed

The Supreme Court ultimately allowed the Maharashtra government's appeal and set aside the Bombay High Court's order granting bail to Mhatre.

The case is titled State of Maharashtra v. Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, Criminal Appeal No. 004604/2026.