‘Do Not Let Them Roam Free’: Supreme Court On Politicians Accused Of Assaulting Doctors In Maharashtra

New Delhi, 7th September 2026: The Supreme Court on Monday, 7th September, took a strong view of incidents involving assaults on doctors by political party members in Maharashtra and said those involved should be taken into custody and not be allowed to remain free.

The remarks came during the hearing of a plea filed by Shiv Sena councillor Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre in connection with the assault of doctors and hospital staff at Shastrinagar Hospital in Kalyan.

The court’s intervention comes days after it had questioned the grant of bail to Mhatre and observed that attacks on medical professionals could not be treated lightly. The bench had also said that people who assault doctors do not deserve bail.

During Monday’s hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mhatre, sought permission to withdraw the plea. The Maharashtra government informed the court that it had moved to seek cancellation of Mhatre’s bail.

The Supreme Court subsequently issued notice and listed the matter for 28th September.

The case relates to an incident at the KDMC-run Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli in July. Mhatre and others were accused of assaulting on-duty doctors and hospital staff following an argument at the hospital. Police had registered a case against Mhatre and five others, and he was later arrested.

The Bombay High Court had taken Suo Motu cognisance of the incident and initially stayed the bail granted to Mhatre by a lower court. It later granted him bail subject to stringent conditions, including an order requiring him to remain outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet was filed.

The Supreme Court had earlier said the Bombay High Court was justified in taking suo motu cognisance of the incident and staying the earlier bail order. The court also indicated that it was considering cancellation of Mhatre’s bail.

The issue has gained further attention following another alleged assault at a hospital in Palghar. Police have registered a case against 17 people, including members of the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, following an altercation at a private hospital over the treatment of a 19-year-old Dahi Handi participant.

According to the complaint, the dispute escalated after a disagreement over the patient’s treatment bill. Hospital staff alleged that some of those involved abused and assaulted employees, with CCTV footage reportedly capturing part of the incident.

The Supreme Court’s latest observations come against this backdrop of multiple reported incidents involving healthcare workers and political party members in the state.

The court’s remarks, however, are observations made during proceedings and do not amount to a final finding of guilt against Mhatre or any of the accused in the separate Palghar case.

The Mhatre matter will now be heard on September 28, when the Supreme Court is expected to consider the Maharashtra government’s plea seeking cancellation of his bail.