Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre on Wednesday denied allegations of assaulting a woman doctor and nurses at a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) hospital, while expressing regret over the incident and claiming that the doctor involved was like a daughter to him.
Addressing a press conference, Mhatre apologised for the incident but rejected claims that he had physically attacked the female doctor.
“I express regret over the incident of assault that took place. I state with full confidence that I did not raise my hand against the female doctor. What appears in the CCTV footage might look that way due to the camera angle," Mhatre said.
He claimed that the confrontation with the nurse occurred after she continued speaking on her phone and did not pay attention to his concerns. He said he only tapped her hand and alleged that the CCTV angle created a misleading impression of the incident.
“I address her informally (using “tu") because she is like a daughter to me. I am not even aware of whether she is married or not. While we were conversing, she kept talking on the phone and was not listening to our grievance; that is why I tapped her on the hand. We have been guided by Balasaheb’s teachings. We have never raised a hand against women, nor will we ever do so in the future," he added.
Mhatre also blamed shortcomings within the hospital system for the situation and said efforts would be made to address those issues.
“The incident occurred due to systemic shortcomings within the hospital. We will strive to address those deficiencies. The individuals who prompted my visit there will provide further details regarding the entire incident. The people who had called me did not answer my calls. I arrived at the scene considering the gravity of the situation. They are the ones who will provide the full details," the Corporator further said.
The incident took place on Monday at Shastri Nagar General Hospital in Dombivli, where Shiv Sena corporator Mangesh Mhatre and five associates were accused of assaulting two contractual doctors and two nurses.
According to the doctors, the dispute began after a pregnant woman was referred to Mumbai’s Sion Hospital for delivery because the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) did not have an available bed.
Doctors Vaibhav Salunkhe and Shrusti Baviskar alleged that Mhatre verbally abused and assaulted them without first understanding the medical circumstances behind the referral. The alleged incident was recorded on CCTV cameras.
Two nurses, Namita Ubale and Dravya Giri, were also allegedly assaulted when they stepped in to protect the doctors during the confrontation.
FAIMA seeks action against Mhatre
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding the arrest of corporator Mhatre in connection with the KDMC hospital case.
FAIMA chief patron Rohan Krishnan described the incident as “deeply unfortunate" and said healthcare workers cannot be expected to continue serving without fear if they remain exposed to physical attacks and humiliation.
“The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) expresses its strongest condemnation of the brutal assault on doctors, nurses and healthcare workers at KDMC Shastrinagar Hospital, Maharashtra. It is deeply unfortunate that doctors across the country continue to work under constant fear. The increasing incidents of violence, harassment and mental stress have also contributed to rising cases of depression and suicides among doctors. A nation cannot expect its healthcare workforce to serve selflessly while remaining vulnerable to physical attacks and humiliation," he said.
Following protests and pressure from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), police registered a case against Ramesh Mhatre and five others on Tuesday night.
Mhatre, along with four male supporters and a woman, has been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(1) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 189(2) (unlawful assembly) and 191(2) (rioting).
Police have arrested three people — Akshay Karande, Ramesh Pawar and Shailesh Nikam — in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and medical staff.
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