Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre regrets KDMC Hospital assault, denies hitting woman doctor
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre expressed regret over the violent altercation at Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) Shastrinagar Hospital, while denying allegations that he assaulted a female doctor during the incident.
Speaking to the media, Mhatre claimed he never raised his hand against the woman doctor, describing her as "like a daughter" to him. He maintained that the viral CCTV footage circulating on social media presented a misleading impression due to the camera angle and insisted he had no intention of attacking any woman medical professional.
The controversy erupted after CCTV footage allegedly showed Mhatre and his supporters assaulting doctors, nurses and hospital staff following a dispute over the unavailability of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds for a pregnant patient. The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to protests by doctors and healthcare workers across KDMC-run hospitals, with routine services being temporarily suspended while emergency services continued.
An FIR has been registered against Mhatre in connection with the assault. Medical associations have condemned the attack and demanded strict action, calling for enhanced security for healthcare workers in government hospitals.
Expressing regret over the incident, Mhatre said the situation should not have escalated and reiterated that he never intended to harm the woman doctor. However, the incident continues to spark criticism from the medical fraternity, which has termed violence against healthcare workers unacceptable under any circumstances.
