Supreme Court Concerned Over Repeated Attacks On Maharashtra Doctors

The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over repeated attacks on doctors in Maharashtra, flagging another alleged assault involving Shiv Sena workers.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta said a strong message was needed to deter attacks on medical professionals.

The court was hearing a case concerning Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting doctors and hospital staff at a hospital in Dombivli.

During the hearing, the bench referred to another incident in Palghar in which Shiv Sena workers allegedly threatened and assaulted doctors and hospital staff.

The court observed that 'things are going from bad to worse' and that there is a need to send a strong message to deter such attacks.

Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mhatre, disputed the suggestion that the same group was involved in both incidents.

However, the court clarified that it was referring to the political ideology of those allegedly involved, stating that 'same ideology' was behind the attacks.

The court's remarks underline its broader concern that violence against doctors cannot be viewed merely as an isolated dispute when similar incidents continue to surface.

The latest incident referred to by the court allegedly occurred at a private hospital in Palghar on Saturday, following a dispute over the discharge of five men who had been injured at a Dahi Handi event.

The reference to the Palghar incident gave the hearing a wider dimension, shifting attention from the circumstances of Mhatre's case to the recurring problem of attacks on medical professionals.

Mhatre was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting doctors and hospital staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation-run Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli.

The case arose from an incident involving a nine-month pregnant woman who was allegedly made to wait for several hours.

Mhatre claimed that he reached the hospital following repeated calls from the woman's family, after which an altercation took place with hospital staff.

An FIR was registered on July 7, naming Mhatre as Accused No. 1.

A magistrate in Kalyan granted him bail on July 14 after considering his age, medical condition, lack of flight risk and the fact that the principal investigation was complete.

The Supreme Court's concern over repeated attacks on doctors in Maharashtra highlights the need for a strong message to be sent to deter such attacks and ensure the safety of medical professionals.

The court's decision to hear the state's plea against Mhatre's bail is a significant step in addressing the issue of violence against doctors in the state.

The recurring problem of attacks on medical professionals in Maharashtra is a matter of concern for the entire medical community and the state government.

It is essential for the authorities to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The Supreme Court's intervention in the matter is a welcome step, and it is hoped that the court's decision will help to prevent future attacks on doctors in Maharashtra.