Another Doctor Slapped By Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Resigns Amidst 'Fear' & 'Trauma'

Dombivli: Lady doctor Srushti Baviskar tendered her resignation on Thursday, days after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre allegedly slapped her and other medical staff at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's Shastri Nagar Hospital. Baviskar is the second victim of the assault to have resigned.

Her resignation comes a day after her colleague Vaibhav Salunkhe, who was also allegedly slapped by Mhatre, quit his job. Notably, Dr Srushti Baviskar had joined the hospital just a month ago in her first posting. She was left “traumatised” and “frightened” by the attack.

What Led To Violence?

The assault took place at the government hospital during a heated confrontation between hospital staff and the relatives of a patient.

Dombivli Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Suhas Hemade said the incident stemmed from a dispute regarding the treatment of a female patient who had arrived at the hospital. “The accused accompanied the patient's relatives. They assaulted the on-duty doctor, a female doctor, and a nurse, subjecting them to physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats,” the ACP stated, adding that there are approximately four accused involved in this assault case, including one woman.

As per reports, the hospital had advised the patient's newborn baby to be shifted to another hospital due to a shortage of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Video Of Attack

A video of the attack purportedly showed Mhatre grabbing a male staff's neck as others joined and started slapping the latter repeatedly. A lady staff was seen trying to control the situation and trying to someone on her mobile phone. The lady was also allegedly slapped by Mhatre in an apparent attempt to snatch her phone.

‘She’s Like A Daughter': Mhatre

As the video sparked an outrage, Ramesh Mhatre said that the doctor was “like his daughter”. He also claimed that slapping women is against the principles of Shiv Sena. Before being arrested, he said, “I regret the physical altercation 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.”

"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," he added.

He further claimed that he had only tapped the doctor on the hand while trying to get her attention: “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.”