Doctors' assault case: Police file 1,832-page chargesheet against Sena corporator, 4 others

KALYAN: The Kalyan police on Wednesday filed a 1,832-page chargesheet against Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four others in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and nurses at Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli. The chargesheet was filed in the Kalyan court 65 days after the incident.The other accused named in the chargesheet are Ramesh Pawar, Pramod Nikam, Akshay Karande and Sadhana Karande.The case relates to the July 6 incident in which Mhatre and his associates allegedly assaulted doctors Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr Shruti Baviskar and abused nursing staff after alleging that a woman who had come to the hospital for delivery was denied proper treatment.According to the police, Mhatre, who had gone to the hospital to question the doctors, allegedly abused and assaulted the two doctors.Police arrested four other persons allegedly involved in the assault the following day. The incident had sparked outrage among the medical fraternity, with doctors and medical associations demanding stringent action.The police investigation was closely monitored after the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter. The High Court had directed that the investigation be completed expeditiously and the trial be taken up on a fast-track basis.Accordingly, the police completed the investigation within 66 days and submitted the chargesheet, police said. The chargesheet includes statements of 32 witnesses, along with other documentary and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage of the incident.Mhatre was initially remanded to police custody and later secured bail from the Kalyan court on July 13. The Bombay High Court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter and stayed the bail order.After spending nearly a month in Aadharwadi jail, Mhatre was granted bail by the High Court on August 7 with several conditions, including remaining outside Maharashtra until the hearing of the state government's plea challenging his bail. He has since been staying in Goa.Meanwhile, the High court, while examining the investigation, had directed that the probe be handed over to an officer of the rank of deputy commissioner of police after observing that the police investigation was not satisfactory.With the chargesheet now filed, the accused will face further proceedings in the Kalyan court. However, Mhatre's legal difficulties could continue as the state government's challenge to his bail remains pending before the High Court.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Thane | Silver Rate in Thane | Bank Holidays in Thane | Public Holidays in Thane | Petrol Price in Thane | Diesel Price in Thane | CNG Price in Thane | LPG Price in ThaneStay updated with the latest Thane news. Download the TOI App.