Kalyan: Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, arrested in a case involving an alleged assault on doctors at a hospital, will continue to remain in Aadharwadi jail after his bail application was withdrawn following arguments before a Kalyan court on Tuesday.Mhatre and five other accused had sought bail, and arguments were heard from both sides. After the court reserved its order on the applications, the defence withdrew the bail pleas in the evening.Opposing the bail, complainant’s lawyer Prakash Salsingikar cited a Supreme Court order and argued that Mhatre should not be granted relief until the testimonies of key witnesses in the case were recorded.The prosecution pointed out that the statements of three important witnesses, including a helper and the complainant’s aunt, were yet to be recorded. Their testimonies were crucial to the case, the complainant’s lawyer submitted.The defence had argued in its bail application that statements of most witnesses had already been recorded and that the trial was progressing. However, following arguments from both sides, the accused chose to withdraw their applications before the court pronounced its decision.The court has permitted the accused to file fresh bail applications after the examination of the key witnesses is completed.So far, the prosecution has examined 20 witnesses in the case, while around 40 more are yet to be examined. Of these, at least 15 are considered important witnesses whose testimonies are expected to be recorded.The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov 7. The withdrawal of the bail pleas means Mhatre’s stay in Aadharwadi jail will continue for now, pending further proceedings and any fresh application for bail.
