Sena Councillor Bail: Stay Out of Maharashtra, Court Orders in Doctor Assault Case!
Sena Councillor Bail: Stay Out of Maharashtra, Court Orders in Doctor Assault Case!
Shiv Sena's Ramesh Mhatre gets bail in the Dombivali doctor assault case, but with a strict condition: he must stay out of Maharashtra! High Court transfers to fast-track court.
The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Shiv Sena councillor Ramesh Mhatre and a co-accused in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and staff at a hospital in Dombivali. The bail comes with a significant condition: Mhatre and his co-accused must remain outside Maharashtra until a charge sheet is filed and charges are formally framed against them.
The court's decision, issued by a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, noted that the investigation is nearing completion. The judges stated that the accused could not be indefinitely kept behind bars and subsequently transferred the case to a fast-track court in Kalyan to expedite proceedings.
In a strong observation, the bench highlighted the democratic principles at stake. "Rule of democracy is that the elected representative is by the people and for the people. If an elected representative is accused of assaulting his own voters, such a situation is bound to dent the fabric of democracy," the court remarked.
Further conditions for bail include strict directives to avoid contacting witnesses or their relatives, and not to tamper with any evidence. The court warned of severe action should these conditions be violated. The accused are also required to surrender their passports to the concerned magistrates and are prohibited from committing any further offenses. The court clarified that they may be permitted to re-enter Maharashtra once the charge sheet is filed.
Addressing the safety of the victims, the Bombay High Court ordered the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to ensure police protection for the assaulted doctors and other staff members. Significantly, the court also stated that no disciplinary action would be taken against the three doctors if they chose to decline work in light of the traumatic incident.
The court noted that only forensic reports were pending for the completion of the investigation. It directed the state to file the charge sheet within 10 days of receiving these forensic reports and subsequently instructed the trial court to frame charges within seven working days thereafter. Both the prosecution and defence were warned against seeking unnecessary adjournments, underscoring the court's intent to ensure a swift and uninterrupted trial. Mhatre, a KDMC councillor, was accused of assaulting doctors and nurses at Shas hospital.
