Bombay HC Grants Bail to Shiv Sena Corporator Mhatre

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four co-accused in a case involving the alleged assault of doctors and hospital staff at a municipal hospital in Thane district. The court imposed stringent conditions, including requiring the accused to remain outside Maharashtra until a chargesheet is filed and the trial court formally frames charges.

The decision was delivered on Friday, August 7, 2026, by a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad. The court stated that while the investigation was progressing rapidly and the accused had spent time in custody, bail could be granted. However, the bench emphasized the gravity of the allegations against an elected official, noting that an assault by a public representative on constituents strikes at the fabric of democracy.

The incident that led to the arrests occurred on July 6 at the Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli, operated by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. According to authorities, the altercation began after doctors advised the family of a nine-month pregnant woman with complications to transfer her to another facility because the...