A 28-year-old woman doctor working at a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara district died, allegedly by suicide late on Thursday night, sparking outrage across the country. She left a note on her palm accusing a police official of raping her on multiple occasions and a software engineer of harassing her mentally.
Maharashtra doctor death case: Here’s what we know so far
-A 28-year-old woman doctor from Beed, serving at a government hospital in Phaltan, was found hanging in a hotel room on Thursday night. In a note written on her palm, she reportedly alleged that sub-inspector Gopal Badane had raped her several times and that software engineer and her landlord's son Prashant Bankar had subjected her to mental harassment.
-Satara Superintendent of Police, Tushar Doshi, told ANI that a case has been registered against the accused under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The police sub-inspector named in the note has been suspended.
-Doshi informed that Bankar has been arrested and will be produced in court on Saturday. Badane, meanwhile, is still absconding and a search is underway to nab him.
-The victim’s cousin claimed that the doctor was under political pressure to carry out a false post-mortem. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI.
-According to the cousin, the doctor had filed a complaint a few months ago, but authorities failed to act. The incident has sparked anger across Satara, with demands for a thorough investigation and the swift suspension of the accused officers.
-The victim’s uncle further alleged that she was forced to alter a post-mortem report in a current case, allegedly under instructions from the police department.
-Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Satara SP Tushar Doshi and ordered the suspension of the sub-inspector named in the suicide note.
-Sunil Phulari, Inspector-General of Police (Kolhapur division), told PTI, "We are investigating the matter on the basis of evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended."
-The woman doctor had called one of the accused, Bankar -- who works in Pune -- before ending her life, and the two had also exchanged text messages, police said.
-State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar said, "We have taken cognisance of the matter and ordered Satara Police to take strict action against the accused.”
-Across the political spectrum, leaders have urged authorities to initiate an independent probe and an SIT investigation into the case.
-NCP leader Dhananjay Munde and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Friday separately demanded an independent investigation. "The entire incident should be probed through an SIT and the trial should be conducted in a fast-track court," said the NCP leader from Beed, adding that he would be writing a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to put forth these demands.
Opposition Shiv Sena UBT spokesperson Sushma Andhare also demanded the setting up of an independent SIT to probe the case.
(With inputs from agencies)
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
