Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre on Wednesday denied allegations of assaulting a woman doctor and nurses at a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) hospital, claiming that the CCTV footage “may look that way” because of the camera angle. He maintained that he did not raise his hand against any member of the medical staff.

Mhatre Says He Only Tapped Doctor’s Hand

Speaking at a press conference, Mhatre expressed regret over the incident and alleged that the doctor was continuously speaking on her mobile phone instead of listening to the grievances brought before her. He said he only tapped her hand and insisted he never assaulted her.

“I express regret over the incident of assault 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 because she is like a daughter to me. She kept talking on the phone and was not listening to our grievance; that is why I tapped her on the hand,” Mhatre said.

He further said that Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray had taught party workers never to raise their hands against women. Mhatre also blamed systemic shortcomings at the hospital for the incident and said those who had called him to the hospital would explain the complete sequence of events.

Shrikant Shinde Condemns Incident, Promises Action

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde strongly condemned the assault, saying violence against doctors and medical staff is unacceptable. In a post on X, he said a police case has been registered and assured that strict legal action would be taken against those found guilty.

Shinde also made it clear that the party would not support anyone involved in the attack and said disciplinary action would be initiated within the party against those responsible. Calling doctors, nurses and healthcare workers the backbone of public service, he said they must be able to perform their duties without fear.

Opposition Targets Shiv Sena

The opposition criticised the ruling party over the incident, alleging that the corporator’s behaviour reflected misuse of power.

Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal accused the Shiv Sena of promoting a culture of intimidation, saying that attacking doctors, nurses and hospital staff for advising a patient’s family to shift to another hospital due to the unavailability of NICU beds showed “the intoxication of power.”

FAIMA Demands Strict Action

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) also condemned the incident, calling it “deeply unfortunate.”

FAIMA Chief Patron Rohan Krishnan said doctors across the country continue to work under constant fear due to rising incidents of violence, harassment and mental stress. He stressed that healthcare workers cannot be blamed for systemic issues such as shortages of NICU beds or inadequate infrastructure.

Calling violence against doctors an attack on the healthcare system itself, FAIMA urged the Maharashtra government to take strict action within 24 hours and send a clear message that attacks on healthcare workers will not be tolerated under any circumstances.