The Bombay High Court, on Friday (July 31, 2026), refused to grant urgent bail to Ramesh Mhatre, the corporator accused of assaulting a doctor at a municipal hospital in Dombivli. Mhatre is a member of the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Dhuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad made the decision after considering the stage of the police investigation. The court noted that the original complainant, Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe, has not yet conducted the identification parade to confirm the identity of the accused. Additionally, the police are required to record statements from more witnesses and collect further evidence.
The court has directed the state government to provide protection to the victim, Dr. Salunkhe, and other witnesses involved in the case. The bench clarified that the bail application will be heard next on August 6.
In court, Senior Counsel Aabad Ponda, representing Mhatre, argued for bail. He stated that since his client is currently in custody, there is no possibility of pressuring the victim or witnesses. He also submitted that the investigation is largely complete. Ponda informed the court that Mhatre is willing to stay outside Maharashtra for four to six weeks, if necessary, to prevent any influence on the ongoing inquiry. He requested the court grant bail during the remaining investigation period.
Opposing the bail plea, Senior Counsel S.U. Kamdar, representing the Dodian Medical Association, made a strong case against the relief. Kamdar argued that Mhatre’s actions have created a sense of fear among doctors at the municipal hospital. He further alleged that the accused has a history of securing acquittals in multiple cases by pressuring witnesses. Kamdar also claimed that attempts to exert pressure on the complainant and witnesses are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the State Government, provided the court with the current status of the investigation. He stated that a Deputy Commissioner of Police is now leading the probe following a court order. The investigation has so far recorded statements from 26 individuals. Sathe informed the bench that critical procedures, including recording additional witness statements, collecting voice samples of the accused, and sending the victim’s video evidence for forensic analysis, will be completed in the next two weeks. He also gave an assurance that the identification parade for Dr. Salunkhe will be conducted under police security.
