On Sept. 28, 2026, the Supreme Court of India overturned a Bombay High Court bail order and directed the four Shiv Sena corporators to surrender.
The accused—Ramesh Mhatre, Ramesh Laxman Pawar, Pramod alias Prakash Uddhav Nikam and Akshay Sharad Karande—attacked three doctors, including a woman, while they worked in the labour ward of Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli on July 6, 2026.
Witnesses testified that the doctors, shaken by the assault, tendered resignations, illustrating the chilling effect on medical staff. The bench also highlighted the four men’s 18 pending criminal cases, including charges under sections 302 and 307 of the IPC, and warned that their intimidation undermined public confidence.
The court set a deadline of Oct. 5, 2026, for the accused to appear before the trial court and instructed the district administration to provide witness protection under the Maharashtra Witness Protection and Security Act, 2017, ensuring that doctors could testify without fear.
A hearing to determine the accused’s future detention status is scheduled for October 20, 2026, when the trial court will review the bail petition under the new safeguards.