Doctor assault in Dombivli: NCP (SP) MLA slams Shiv Sena corporator Mhatre
Synopsis
A Shiv Sena corporator allegedly assaulted doctors — including a woman — at a public hospital in Dombivli after staff recommended transferring a newborn due to a full NICU. The accused has denied wrongdoing and claims he saved lives. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar is now asking why a person with a criminal background was receiving police protection in the first place.
Key Takeaways
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly assaulted doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital , Dombivli , on 6 July .
The dispute began after doctors advised transferring a newborn due to a full NICU at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation hospital.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar condemned the incident and questioned why Mhatre, who reportedly has a criminal background, was receiving police protection.
Mhatre was arrested following political pressure but was subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Mhatre has denied assaulting the doctors, claiming he only pushed away a mobile phone and that his intervention helped save lives.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday, 9 July strongly condemned the alleged assault on doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, Thane district, by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, calling the conduct 'completely wrong' and demanding accountability for why a person with a criminal record was receiving police protection.
What Happened at Shastri Nagar Hospital
The incident occurred on 6 July at Shastri Nagar Hospital, run by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. According to hospital authorities, two doctors — a man and a woman — advised the family of a newborn to transfer the infant to another facility because the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was at full capacity. The recommendation was made in the interest of the baby's medical care.
The family reportedly contacted Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital with associates. A video of the confrontation showed Mhatre and his supporters arguing with doctors and staff. He allegedly approached a woman doctor from behind and knocked her mobile phone out of her hand, then allegedly assaulted another doctor and other hospital staff. At least one doctor sustained injuries in the altercation.
NCP (SP)'s Rohit Pawar Raises Criminal Background Concern
Speaking to reporters, MLA Rohit Pawar questioned how a person with a documented criminal background had been receiving police protection for an extended period. 'That behaviour was completely wrong. The corporator assaulted women doctors also, present at the hospital and has a criminal background. Despite having such a background, he was provided police protection for a long time. This is a very contradictory situation,' Pawar said.
He further alleged that influential figures in positions of power were shielding individuals accused of such acts. 'We raised the issue yesterday, following which he was arrested. However, he was later admitted to a hospital for treatment. Somewhere, people in power and influential individuals are supporting such behaviour,' Pawar claimed.
Mhatre Denies Assault, Claims He Saved Lives
Corporator Ramesh Mhatre has denied assaulting the doctors and refused to apologise. In a statement to a television channel, he contended that he did not attack the woman doctor but merely pushed away her mobile phone because she was not paying attention to the family's concerns. He also asserted that his intervention helped save the lives of a woman and her newborn, adding that he had nothing to regret.
Arrest and Aftermath
Following political pressure and public outcry, Mhatre was arrested. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment, a development that Pawar cited as further evidence of preferential treatment for the politically connected. This incident adds to a growing pattern of reported violence against healthcare workers in Maharashtra, raising fresh questions about the safety of medical staff in public hospitals.
The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of the relationship between elected representatives and law enforcement in Thane district, with opposition leaders demanding a transparent investigation.
Point of View
Where political access can override institutional authority. The most pointed question raised by Rohit Pawar is not about the assault itself, but about the system that enabled it: how does a person with a criminal record receive sustained police protection? That question implicates the ruling alliance in Maharashtra and deserves a direct answer, not a hospital admission. Violence against doctors has been rising across India, and Maharashtra has seen repeated incidents in municipal facilities. Without credible deterrence — including swift prosecution of politically connected offenders — the pattern will continue.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli?
On 6 July, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly assaulted doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli after staff recommended transferring a newborn to another facility due to a full NICU. At least one doctor sustained injuries in the altercation.
Who is Ramesh Mhatre and was he arrested?
Ramesh Mhatre is a Shiv Sena corporator in Dombivli, Thane district. He was arrested following political pressure and public outcry over the incident, but was subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment.
What did NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar say about the incident?
Rohit Pawar condemned the assault as 'completely wrong' and questioned why Mhatre, who reportedly has a criminal background, had been receiving police protection for an extended period. He also alleged that influential people in power were shielding those accused of such acts.
Has Ramesh Mhatre admitted to the assault?
No. Mhatre has denied assaulting the doctors and refused to apologise. He claimed he only pushed away a woman doctor's mobile phone and asserted that his intervention helped save the lives of a woman and her newborn.
Why does this incident matter for healthcare workers in Maharashtra?
The assault highlights the vulnerability of doctors in public hospitals, particularly when faced with politically connected individuals. It has reignited debate about the safety of medical staff and the enforcement of laws protecting healthcare workers in Maharashtra.
