‘Don't deserve to roam on streets': SC slams Shiv Sena leader accused of assaulting doctors
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, accused of assaulting doctors at a hospital in Thane in July, regarding a plea challenging his bail, whilst remarking that individuals involved in such acts do not deserve to walk free.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to Mhatre and requested his reply within three weeks following a petition filed by the state government.
"These people don't deserve to roam on the streets. Things are going from bad to worse. There was another incident yesterday in Palghar. Same group of people. Again assaulting doctors. A message should go, and it should be a deterrent for others in the society," the bench observed while issuing notice.
The case has been scheduled for its next hearing on September 28.
The top court's remarks came during a hearing on petitions, including one submitted by Mhatre, contesting conditions attached to his bail by the Bombay High Court. The Shiv Sena corporator was subsequently permitted by the apex court to withdraw his appeal.
The Supreme Court previously noted that the high court was "fully justified" in taking suo motu cognisance and staying the bail initially granted to Mhatre by a trial court, emphasising that those who attack medical professionals do not merit bail.
ALSO READ: Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre arrested after viral CCTV video
On July 18, the high court stayed the lower court's bail order, describing it as "perverse" and directing Mhatre to surrender to police custody.
Subsequently, on August 7, the high court granted bail to Mhatre while ordering that the trial be fast-tracked and concluded within a set timeframe.
The high court also extended bail to three co-accused in the alleged assault case, which had sparked widespread public outrage.
Mhatre, a corporator with the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), had challenged the specific conditions laid down by the high court when granting him bail.
On July 6, Mhatre and several associates assembled at Shastri Nagar Hospital and allegedly assaulted medical personnel following a dispute over purported delays in treating a pregnant woman.
A Thane trial court initially granted bail to Mhatre on July 14, an order later stayed by the high court.
When the high court granted bail to Mhatre and his co-accused on August 7, it imposed stringent conditions, including an order requiring them to remain outside the state of Maharashtra until the police charge sheet was formally filed.
PTI