A doctor allegedly assaulted by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator Ramesh Mhatre at a municipal hospital in Dombivli, Thane district, has resigned and fled the city, citing fear for his personal safety. The incident, which took place on 6 July at Shastri Nagar Hospital run by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, has triggered widespread concern over the safety of healthcare workers in Maharashtra.

Doctor's Account: 'I Have Already Left the City'

Speaking to reporters, the resigning doctor said the assault had left him deeply shaken and unable to continue working at the facility. “I have resigned because there is a lot of fear. Goons are watching us, and I have already left the city. They are very dangerous people. The other doctors may continue working there, but I cannot. I will not go back there again,” he said.

The doctor's decision to permanently leave underscores the chilling effect the incident has had on the medical staff at the hospital.

What Triggered the Confrontation

According to hospital authorities, the dispute began after two doctors — a man and a woman — advised the family of a newborn to transfer the infant to another facility, as the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was operating at full capacity. The doctors reportedly explained that the transfer was medically necessary to ensure adequate care for the baby.

The family subsequently contacted Ramesh Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital with several supporters. What followed, captured on CCTV footage that later circulated online, showed Mhatre and his associates arguing with doctors and staff before physically assaulting them. During the confrontation, Mhatre reportedly struck the mobile phone out of a woman doctor’s hand while she was on a call. At least one doctor sustained injuries in the incident.

Corporator Defends Actions, Refuses to Apologise

Mhatre denied assaulting the woman doctor, claiming he only pushed away her phone because she was not responding to the family’s concerns. He refused to apologise, asserting that his intervention had helped save the lives of the woman and her newborn. He added that he would consider expressing regret only if the doctors apologised first, invoking Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy of fighting injustice to justify his conduct.

Police Action and Arrest

Police registered a case against Mhatre and five of his associates following the incident. Mhatre was subsequently arrested, though he was later admitted to Thane Civil Hospital after reportedly complaining of health problems.

A Wider Pattern of Concern

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on healthcare workers across India that have prompted demands for stronger legal protections. Maharashtra has seen several such confrontations at public hospitals, where understaffing and overcrowding frequently lead to tensions between patients’ families and medical staff. The fact that a sitting elected representative allegedly led the assault — and has since shown no remorse — has drawn sharp criticism from medical associations and opposition leaders. The doctor’s resignation and departure from the city signal that the threat, in his assessment, remains live even after the arrest.