Shiv Sena Corporator granted bail in Thane Hospital Assault Case

Kalyan: In the latest development, a local court on Tuesday granted bail to the Shiv Sena corporator arrested in connection with the alleged assault on doctors and medical staff at Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)-run Shastrinagar Hospital, directing him to furnish a bond of Rs 50,000.

The corporator had been remanded to judicial custody on Monday after the expiry of his police custody. His counsel subsequently moved a bail application, which came up for hearing on Tuesday.   

Also Read:Shiv Sena Corporator moves bail plea in Dombivli hospital assault case

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in connection with the alleged assault on two doctors and nurses at Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)-run Shastrinagar Hospital, the Shiv Sena corporator has sought bail, claiming that he had no personal grudge against the medical staff and was acting in his capacity as a public representative while assisting citizens.  

During the hearing, the prosecution opposed the bail plea, contending that the corporator had a history of criminal cases and should not be released. The defence argued that most of the cases cited by the police had either resulted in acquittals or had been quashed by the courts, with only one criminal case currently pending against him.  

The corporator’s lawyer, MK Qazi, told ANI, "We had filed a bail application for the corporator. Following the filing, the Investigating Officer (IO) and the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) submitted their responses today. We then presented detailed arguments. During the proceedings, the APP and the IO raised numerous objections regarding various points that emerged; we addressed all those objections in our arguments. After hearing the arguments, the Honourable Court granted bail to the corporator."

The case stems from an incident in which the corporator and his associates allegedly assaulted two doctors and other hospital staff after medical professionals advised a family to transfer a newborn to another healthcare facility for treatment. 

Following public outrage and pressure from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which warned of a shutdown of clinics and hospitals in the region if immediate action was not taken, police registered a case against the corporator and five others. The corporator was arrested on July 8, while three of his associates were taken into custody a day earlier. 

After his arrest, the corporator complained of chest pain and was admitted to Thane District Civil Hospital. Police sought permission to produce him before the court through video conferencing due to his medical condition. However, Judicial Magistrate First Class K. S. Katkade rejected the request and directed that the accused be produced in person. He was subsequently brought to court from the hospital under heavy police security.

After hearing both sides, the court initially remanded the corporator and the three co-accused to police custody until July 13. The four accused, along with a woman supporter, have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, unlawful assembly and rioting, reports TOI.

In the aftermath of the incident, the two doctors who were allegedly attacked submitted their resignations, raising concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals working in public hospitals. 

Also Read:Thane Hospital Attack: Shiv Sena Corporator arrested, shifted to hospital after chest pain complaint