Supreme Court slams assaults on doctors in Maharashtra, questions liberty of accused

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday strongly disapproved of the repeated assaults on doctors and hospital staff in Maharashtra, observing that people belonging to the "same ideology" were allegedly behind such attacks.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observations while hearing a plea concerning Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors and hospital staff at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli on July 6.

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During the hearing, the bench was informed about another recent incident in Palghar, in which Shiv Sena workers allegedly assaulted hospital staff following a dispute over the treatment and discharge of a 19-year-old who had been injured during Dahi Handi celebrations.

When counsel for Mhatre pointed out that the persons involved in the two incidents were different, the bench referred to their political affiliation. "Same ideology. How can this be justified that you go and assault them inside their chambers, beat them brutally?" Justice Nath orally remarked.

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SC said such incidents raised serious concerns relating to law and order and questioned how individuals accused of assaulting medical professionals could be permitted to remain at liberty. "Let the message go. Message needs to go," the bench orally remarked, stressing the need for a deterrent against violence targeting doctors and hospital staff. The Palghar incident reportedly led to the registration of a case against 17 people, including Shiv Sena district chief Kundan Sankhe and city chief Rahul Gharat. Gharat was arrested on Monday.

SC was also hearing Mhatre's challenge to the stringent bail conditions imposed by the Bombay High Court. His plea was eventually withdrawn. Separately, the Maharashtra government has sought cancellation of Mhatre's bail. The bench issued notice to Mhatre, granting him three weeks to respond.