Bombay HC Delays Decision On Shiv Sena Corporator's Release

The Bombay High Court has deferred its decision on the release of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre until August 6. Mhatre is accused of assaulting doctors at a municipal hospital in Dombivli.

The court's decision came after the police informed them that several crucial steps in the investigation were yet to be completed, including voice sample collection and the recording of witnesses' statements.

The police have assured the court that they will expedite the probe and complete it within two weeks. Advocate General Milind Sathe told the court that statements of 17 additional witnesses had been recorded and only 10 remained.

Senior advocate S.U. Kamdar, appearing for the Indian Medical Association (IMA), opposed Mhatre's release, claiming that witnesses were being pressured. Amicus curiae Ashok Mundargi also urged the court to keep Mhatre in custody, pointing out that police had initially failed to record statements of six persons.

On the other hand, senior advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Mhatre, argued that the investigation was now “foolproof” as the police had CCTV footage, transcripts and other evidence. He contended that there was no material linking Mhatre to the alleged threats received by witnesses while he remained in custody.

The court has directed the state to provide adequate police protection to doctors and victims travelling to Kalyan for the investigation. It also noted that the municipal corporation had not accepted the resignations of two doctors who allegedly quit out of fear following the July 6 assault at Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital.

The incident has sparked widespread concern about the safety of medical professionals in the city. The Indian Medical Association has been demanding stricter action against those responsible for the assault.

The Bombay High Court's decision to defer Mhatre's release until August 6 is seen as a significant development in the case. The court's emphasis on completing the investigation before considering Mhatre's release suggests that it is taking a cautious approach to ensure that justice is served.

The case has also highlighted the need for greater protection for witnesses and victims in such cases. The court's directive to provide adequate police protection to doctors and victims travelling to Kalyan for the investigation is a step in this direction.

In the coming weeks, the court is expected to hear further arguments in the case and consider the progress of the police investigation. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the safety and well-being of medical professionals in the city.

The incident is a reminder of the challenges faced by medical professionals in the city, who often work in difficult conditions and face threats and intimidation from various quarters. The case has sparked a wider debate about the need for greater support and protection for medical professionals, and the importance of ensuring that those responsible for such incidents are held accountable.