Observing that attacks on medical professionals inside hospitals cannot be taken lightly, the Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre over the alleged assault of doctors at Shastrinagar Hospital in Kalyan.
What justification can there be for entering a hospital and assaulting doctors who are on duty? You are an elected representative. You are supposed to protect institutions, CJI Surya Kant observed orally.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a plea by Mhatre seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the incident that took place last month at the Kalyan civic hospital.
The FIR lodged at Mahatma Phule Police Station alleges that two resident doctors at Shastrinagar Hospital were assaulted by Mhatre and his supporters after a patient succumbed during treatment. It is alleged that Mhatre barged into the casualty ward, accused doctors of negligence and manhandled them.
Police booked Mhatre under charges of assault, criminal intimidation and under Maharashtra law for prevention of violence against Medicare service persons and institutions.
Appearing for Mhatre, his lawyer argued that the corporator had gone to the hospital on receiving complaints from residents about lack of medical attention and there was no intent to assault. The case was politically motivated and he had joined investigation, the lawyer said.
The bench, however, said CCTV footage prima facie showed otherwise. “It shows doctors being chased inside ward. If you had grievance regarding medical negligence, remedy is to approach appropriate authority, not to barge inside hospital and beat doctors. This is not expected of a corporator,” Justice Bagchi said.
The Court also underlined growing incidents of violence against doctors and said such acts create fear among medical fraternity. “Doctors work under tremendous pressure, especially in municipal hospitals. Such attacks have chilling effect and cannot be condoned,” the bench said.
Recording that the Bombay High Court had already rejected his anticipatory bail, the Supreme Court refused to grant interim protection and directed Maharashtra government to place on record the injury reports of doctors and CCTV footage of the said incident. The matter will be taken up for hearing by the top court next week.
