The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over the increasing number of incidents involving violence against doctors and hospital staff, emphasizing the need for strict action against those responsible. The court was hearing a plea filed by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors at Dombivli in July. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that the situation in Maharashtra had worsened and that such behavior would not be tolerated. The court said people indulging in violence against doctors should be arrested without delay and should not be allowed to roam freely on the streets.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Mhatre, sought to withdraw the petition, but the bench insisted on sending a clear message against attacks on medical professionals. The court observed that the group responsible for the assault in Palghar belonged to the same party and shared the same ideology. The bench remarked that such actions were an issue of law and public order. Mhatre was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting doctors and staff at a civic-run hospital in Dombivli on July 6.

The court also took note of reports about the fresh assault on doctors and hospital staff in Palghar, where a dispute over a discharge bill reportedly led to a violent confrontation. According to the complaint, Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Sankhe, city chief Rahul Gharat, and others allegedly entered the emergency department of Relief Hospital, abused and assaulted doctors and hospital staff. CCTV footage purportedly showed a receptionist being slapped when she intervened. The group allegedly also entered the ICU, a restricted area, where hospital staff claimed that a nurse was threatened, the IV drip of an injured patient was removed, and the patient was taken away from the hospital. Palghar police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Medical Services Protection Act. At least 17 people, including Sankhe, Gharat, and Rohit Gavit, son of local MLA Rajendra Gavit, have been named in the case.

The Supreme Court’s concern was heightened by the alleged assault reported from Palghar a day earlier. The court issued notice on the Maharashtra government’s appeal challenging the bail granted to Mhatre and three other accused. It also directed that the matter be listed on September 16. The exchange came days after the Supreme Court had already indicated that it was inclined to cancel Mhatre’s bail over the alleged July 6 assault at the Shastri Nagar General Hospital in Dombivli. On September 1, the bench had said that people who had “no respect for the medical fraternity” should not be out on bail and observed that “those who attack doctors don’t deserve bail.” The court had, however, said it would await a formal plea from the Maharashtra government seeking cancellation of bail.

The Bombay High Court had on August 7 granted bail to Mhatre and three others, while directing them to remain outside Maharashtra until the filing of the chargesheet. Mhatre was specifically ordered to stay within the jurisdiction of the Anjuna police station in Goa. The high court had also directed the Maharashtra government to provide adequate protection to the three doctors who were allegedly assaulted. The incident occurred after a pregnant woman was referred to Mumbai’s Sion Hospital for delivery as the civic hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit had no available beds. The doctors alleged that Mhatre and his associates subsequently assaulted two contractual doctors and two nurses.