Mumbai, August 7: The Bombay High Court granted bail on Friday to Shiv Sena councilor Ramesh Mhatre and other accused in a case involving alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff, subject to strict conditions. However, the court has transferred the case to a fast-track court for expedited proceedings. The Kalyan court will handle further hearings in this matter.
During the hearing, the division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad highlighted the serious implications of the charges against an elected representative. The court stated, “An elected representative is a representative of the public. It is a grave matter when such a representative attacks employees serving the public.”
Additionally, the court instructed its registry to appoint a judge for the fast-track court within seven days. It ordered the voice sample and forensic lab report from the state to be submitted within 15 working days. The High Court mandated that the charge sheet be filed within 10 days, with charges to be framed five working days thereafter.
The bench further directed the state to appoint an experienced special public prosecutor, who cannot be replaced without court approval.
Mhatre and the co-accused were instructed not to contact the victim, witnesses, their relatives, friends, or anyone associated with the case. The court also permitted Mhatre to return to Maharashtra after the charge sheet is filed.
Ramesh Mhatre was arrested on July 6 for allegedly assaulting doctors and staff at the Shastri Nagar Hospital of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Dombivli. He was granted bail by the sessions court on July 14, but the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance of the case and stayed the bail order after a special hearing on July 18. Subsequently, Mhatre surrendered and was placed in judicial custody. The High Court also assigned the investigation to a senior police officer.
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