The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over repeated incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare workers in Maharashtra, particularly those allegedly involving political party members. The court said such attacks inside hospitals amounted to a serious law-and-order issue and called for strong action against those responsible.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observations while hearing a case concerning the bail of a Shiv Sena corporator accused of assaulting doctors at a civic-run hospital in the Kalyan-Dombivli area.
Justice Sandeep Mehta, referring to another reported hospital assault involving members of the same political faction, observed that such persons should be detained and remarked that they “don’t deserve to roam on streets.”
Supreme Court Takes Serious Note of Fresh Hospital Assault
The court’s observations came after it was informed about another alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
According to reports, several Shiv Sena office-bearers allegedly entered a private hospital’s emergency department following a dispute over the discharge of a person injured during the Dahi Handi festival. Police have reportedly booked 17 people in connection with the incident.
CCTV footage allegedly showed one of the accused slapping a receptionist and threatening a female employee. Hospital staff also alleged that some of the individuals entered the Intensive Care Unit during the confrontation.
Referring to the latest incident, Justice Mehta said there appeared to be a recurring tendency among associates of the petitioner to engage in such behaviour.
“Things are going from bad to worse,” the bench observed, stressing that the assault of doctors inside hospitals could not be justified.
State’s Bail Challenge to Be Heard
The Supreme Court also agreed to hear a Special Leave Petition filed by the Maharashtra Government challenging the grant of bail to the Shiv Sena corporator.
During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, sought permission to withdraw the challenge against the stringent bail conditions imposed by the Bombay High Court.
The bench allowed the withdrawal but made it clear that the State’s challenge against the original bail order would continue.
Justice Vikram Nath said the proceedings should send a clear deterrent message, stating that the court’s message needed to reach not only those involved in the present matter but everyone who might engage in similar conduct.
The petitioner has been given three weeks to file his response to the State’s plea, after which the matter will be heard again.
Case Involves Assault at Kalyan-Dombivli Hospital
The case before the Supreme Court stems from an incident at a hospital run by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in July 2026.
According to the case records, the dispute arose after a woman in advanced labour underwent a caesarean section. The newborn reportedly required specialised neonatal care, but the hospital’s emergency NICU was already occupied.
Doctors allegedly advised the family to shift the newborn to another KDMC facility equipped with NICU services. The family reportedly objected and insisted that the child be treated at the same hospital.
The hospital authorities alleged that the family subsequently contacted the corporator. When doctors attending other patients were unable to respond to his calls, the corporator allegedly arrived at the hospital with several associates.
Doctors Allegedly Attacked Inside Hospital
CCTV footage reportedly captured the group entering the hospital and allegedly assaulting two gynaecologists. The doctors also alleged that they were verbally abused and threatened.
One doctor reportedly suffered injuries, while two nurses who intervened were allegedly pushed and manhandled.
The corporator later expressed regret over the incident but denied assaulting the female doctor.
Following the incident, doctors in the Kalyan-Dombivli region staged protests and demanded arrests and action against those responsible. Police subsequently examined CCTV footage and arrested the corporator and others.
Bombay HC Had Intervened in Bail Matter
A Magistrate in Kalyan granted the petitioner bail on July 14, taking into consideration factors including his age, medical condition, flight risk and the fact that key CCTV evidence had already been secured.
The Bombay High Court later took suo motu cognizance of the matter and stayed the bail order, directing the petitioner to surrender. The High Court subsequently granted bail but imposed stringent conditions.
The petitioner approached the Supreme Court challenging those conditions, while the Maharashtra Government separately challenged the grant of bail.
‘Attacks on Doctors Cannot Be Treated Lightly’
The Supreme Court had already expressed its concern during an earlier hearing, observing that violence against medical professionals within hospital premises was a serious matter.
With another alleged hospital assault being reported in Maharashtra, the bench reiterated the need for a strong deterrent against violence targeting doctors and healthcare workers.
The State’s challenge to the bail order will now be considered by the Supreme Court, with the petitioner directed to file his counter within three weeks.