Pradeep GuptaKalyan: The Kalyan judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) on Monday remanded four accused, including Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, to 11 days of judicial custody in connection with the assault on doctors and hospital staff at the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli.Ahead of the hearing, a large number of Mhatre’s supporters gathered at the Kalyan court premises. Citing security concerns, senior police inspector Ram Chopade of Vishnu Nagar police station, who is the investigation officer, moved an application before JMFC K S Katkade seeking permission to conduct the hearing through video conferencing. Accepting the request, the court allowed all four accused, including Mhatre, to be produced virtually.After hearing the matter, the magistrate remanded the accused to judicial custody till July 24.Following the remand, advocate A Y Patki, appearing for the accused, filed a bail application before the court. The magistrate directed the police to file its reply to the bail plea. The bail application is expected to be heard in the coming days.The case relates to the alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff following a dispute over purported delay in treatment of a pregnant woman at the civic-run hospital. The incident sparked outrage in the medical fraternity, with doctors and healthcare workers across KDMC-run hospitals and healthcare centres suspending routine outpatient services in protest while continuing emergency medical services.Based on a complaint lodged by Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe, the Vishnu Nagar police registered an FIR against Mhatre and the other accused under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.Mhatre was arrested in the case last week. When he was in police custody, he was admitted to the Thane Civil Hospital after complaining of chest pain and other health issues and later discharged. He was subsequently produced before the court through video conferencing.
