A doctor working on a contractual basis at a government-run hospital in Maharashtra has ended her life in a hotel room in Satara’s Phaltan. She has left behind a suicide note, which points to repeated rape and harassment. According to the note, a sub-inspector allegedly repeatedly raped her, and another accused harassed her both mentally and physically, Hindustan Times reported.
Police have detained one accused who was named in the note on the woman’s palm. “A case was registered against the duo at the Phaltan city police station. One of the accused, Bankar, has been detained. The investigation is underway,” the official said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken note of the case and instructed SP Tushar Doshi to ensure strict action. He also ordered him to begin departmental proceedings against any police personnel found complicit. Police have booked both people on charges of rape and abetment of suicide, and the officer has been suspended.
What did the suicide note say?
The note, which was written on the victim’s palm in Marathi, said that Phaltan City police station sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped her four times and her landlord’s son Prashant Bankar, who is a software engineer in Pune, physically and mentally harassed her over the past five months, the outlet further reported.
According to a report by PTI quoting the SP, hotel staff opened the room with a spare key after the doctor did not respond to repeated knocks and doorbell rings. She was found hanging inside.
“The deceased booked a room in a hotel in Phaltan. However, she didn’t respond when hotel staff knocked on the room’s door and rang the bell. The staff grew suspicious and opened the door with an alternative key and found her hanging. We have formed two teams to trace the accused,” the SP was quoted by PTI as saying.
Body sent for post-mortem, teams formed to nab the accused
An investigator told HT that preliminary inquiries revealed the victim and the suspended sub-inspector were relatives and originally from Beed.
“Based on the complaint lodged by the victim’s family, we have registered an FIR against PSI Badane and Prashant Bankar on charges of rape and abetment to suicide,” Satara SP Tushar Doshi was quoted by HT as saying. He added that the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
Special IGP (Kolhapur) Sunil Phulari said two dedicated teams have been formed to track down the absconding accused. He confirmed that the PSI has been suspended.
“We are investigating the matter on the basis of the evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in the Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended,” he told PTI.
Doctor was under pressure to modify medical test reports, alleges cousin
The deceased’s cousin claimed that the 29-year-old was under immense pressure to change a post-mortem report and also to modify medical test reports of arrested accused in some cases, PTI reported.
“There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong post-mortem reports. She tried to complain about it to senior police officers, but nothing happened. They were also pressuring my sister to prepare fit/unfit reports of the patients without bringing patients to the hospital,” the cousin told HT
He added that she had submitted a complaint earlier this year naming three police officials, including Badane. However, a Satara police officer has refuted these allegations, stating that while she had filed a complaint in June, it pertained to an unrelated issue.
“She was bright and ambitious. We raised her since childhood and supported her education. She was under pressure at work, and that is why she took this extreme step. The culprits must be punished,” said an aunt of the victim per a PTI report.
Another relative, per the news agency, added, “Just two days ago, she mentioned being harassed by seniors at work.”
Another officer, speaking to PTI, said the doctor had dialled Bankar before her death and that the two had a chat over texts.
Dr Yuvraj Karpe, Civil Surgeon of Satara, said the Deputy Director of Health in Pune shall appoint a three-member committee to conduct an internal inquiry into the tragic incident. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has also demanded an Action Taken Report from the police within five days.
DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or in distress contact the Vandrevala Foundation’s helpline (+91-9999666555) which is available in 11 languages including English and can be accessed via telephone or WhatsApp 24×7. You can also contact Fortis Hospital’s National Helpline number 91-8376804102 which is available 24×7. You can also contact the Government Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’ at 18005990019 which is available 24×7.