Mumbai: Media reports claiming that one of the doctors resigned after allegedly being assaulted by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre have been denied. Dombivli Hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, Dr Deepa Shukla, who is also the Chief Medical Officer, dismissed the resignation claims, stating that the doctor has not resigned.
She said that the hospital has not received any resignation from the doctor till now.
The incident unfolded at Shastrinagar Hospital, a civic healthcare facility operated by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), after a critically ill pregnant woman was brought there for treatment. According to hospital officials, doctors informed the family that the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) had no vacant beds and advised transferring the patient to another hospital while continuing emergency care at the facility.
Hospital authorities alleged that the situation turned violent when the woman’s relatives returned with Ramesh Mhatre and several supporters. The group allegedly entered the hospital premises and assaulted doctors, nurses and other medical staff.
The incident came under the spotlight after CCTV footage of the alleged assault surfaced online and spread widely on social media. The visuals sparked outrage among healthcare professionals, with reports claiming that a woman doctor, two other doctors and several nurses were physically assaulted and threatened while performing their duties.
Mhatre denied attacking the woman doctor, maintaining that the CCTV footage was being misread and asserting that he regarded her “like a daughter.” Despite his denial, the video intensified public criticism and renewed demands for action against those involved.
The incident prompted protests by doctors, nurses and paramedical staff across Kalyan-Dombivli, who suspended routine medical services at civic hospitals in protest. While emergency treatment continued, medical associations warned they would escalate their agitation if stringent action was not taken.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors’ associations called for the immediate arrest of everyone accused in the assault and sought stronger legal protection for healthcare workers.
Initially, police arrested three accused, who were remanded to custody until July 10. Although Mhatre was named in the FIR, he was not arrested immediately, leading to widespread criticism from the medical community. Police later assured protesting doctors that action would be taken against him as well, following which he was arrested.