Pioneer In Short
Doctors quits after Sena leader assault
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, arrested for allegedly assaulting two doctors at KDMC’s Shastri Nagar Hospital in Kalyan, was admitted to Thane District Civil Hospital after complaining of chest pain. Doctors said he has one kidney and hypertension, adding he was expected to be discharged soon. The assault, captured on video, allegedly occurred after doctors advised shifting a newborn to another hospital due to a shortage of NICU beds. The baby’s relatives reportedly summoned Mhatre, who allegedly assaulted Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe and resident medical officer Dr Srishti Baviskar. The incident triggered a strike by healthcare workers across the Kalyan-Dombivli region, which ended on Thursday after services resumed. Meanwhile, the two doctors submitted their resignations, citing the trauma of the attack.
Medical staff protested outside the civil hospital where Mhatre was admitted, demanding stronger security for healthcare workers and his disqualification as a corporator. A Kalyan court directed police to produce Mhatre immediately after he is declared fit for discharge. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reportedly reprimanded Mhatre, with party leaders stating there was no political backing for his actions. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray sought his removal from all public and party posts. Mhatre, three aides and a woman supporter have been arrested and booked under multiple BNS provisions.
TMC accounts under HC watch
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday appointed retired judge Subrata Talukdar as a special officer to oversee day-to-day expenditure from three debit-frozen bank accounts of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) until September 30, 2026. The accounts were frozen on June 19 after an FIR based on a complaint by leaders of a rival TMC faction alleged they contained proceeds of crime. The court allowed authorised signatories to access funds for routine party expenses, legal costs and the special officer’s monthly honorarium of Rs 1.25 lakh, subject to his approval. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directed the special officer to submit an expenditure report on September 21, while police must file a progress report on the investigation.
The bank was asked to preserve all electronic records and cooperate with investigators. The court observed that the complaint appeared prima facie “omnibus” and lacked specific allegations or transactions justifying the abrupt freezing of the accounts. It also noted that the complainants had earlier received election funds from the same accounts before joining a rival faction after the Assembly polls. The interim arrangement will remain in force pending the Election Commission’s decision on recognition of the rival TMC factions.
