Shiv Sena corporator surrenders, arrested over doctor assault caught on camera

Absconding accused says CCTV shows only one angle, claims he merely 'tapped' doctor's hand after she ignored his grievance.

"I regret altercation, but didn't hit woman doctor": Shiv Sena corporator on Thane hospital assaultShiv Sena’s Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde's remarks came as the Thane police arrested three associates of Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre in connection with Thane medical staff assault incident. (Special arrangement photos/ Image enhanced using AI)

Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre surrendered before the Thane police on Wednesday evening and was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and medical staff at the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s (KDMC) Shastri Nagar Hospital, becoming the fourth person to be arrested in the case.

Police said Mhatre came to the police station and surrendered. He was taken for a medical examination and will be produced before a local court, where the police are expected to seek his custody. Earlier in the day, three of his associates were arrested in connection with the assault.

The arrest came hours after Shiv Sena publicly distanced itself from the incident. Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde said no one involved in the assault would be protected and that those found guilty would face disciplinary action. He also said Mhatre should apologise if he had misbehaved with doctors.

Earlier in the day, Mhatre had issued his first public response since being named an accused, expressing regret over the incident while denying allegations that he assaulted a woman doctor.

“I regret the physical altercation that took place but I state again that I did not raise my hand against the female doctor. You are seeing the incident through a particular camera angle of the CCTV,” Mhatre said.

Claiming the doctor was speaking on the phone while he was trying to raise the family’s concerns, Mhatre said: “She was on the phone and not listening to our grievances, so I tapped her hand. We follow Balasaheb’s teachings; we have never raised a hand against women, nor will we ever do so in the future,” adding that the incident occurred due to shortcomings within the hospital that need to be addressed.

The corporator said he had gone to the hospital after receiving a call from the family of a pregnant woman who had allegedly been referred elsewhere because of the unavailability of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

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“I had to go after realising the gravity of the situation. Since my phone was not answered, I went there,” he said, claiming hospital staff did not respond to his calls.

Mhatre also defended his use of the informal Marathi pronoun “Tu” while addressing the doctor.

“The reason why I am calling the doctor as ‘Tu,’ is not out of arrogance but I consider her as my daughter,” he said.

The incident at the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital on Monday night triggered widespread condemnation and protests by healthcare workers. Doctors and hospital staff have alleged that Mhatre and his supporters assaulted them following a dispute over the referral of a pregnant patient after a pregnant woman was advised to seek treatment elsewhere because of the unavailability of beds in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

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The incident also sparked political reactions, with Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar condemning the assault and saying disagreements cannot justify violence, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded strict action against those responsible.

Resident doctors and nurses have announced statewide protests over the assault. While doctors will wear black ribbons on Thursday and continue providing services, nurses had warned of an intensified agitation if strict action is not taken against those responsible.

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Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

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