The tragic death of a young doctor in Satara, Maharashtra, has spiraled into a deeply concerning case, marked by a series of perplexing twists and serious allegations. As investigations unfold, the doctor’s family has come forward, pointing to potential procedural irregularities in the handling of the post-mortem examination and the transfer of her remains. The 29-year-old medical officer, who was working at a government hospital in Phaltan, was tragically found hanging in a hotel room last week.
A suicide note, penned on her palm in Marathi, has brought shocking accusations to light. The note reportedly details allegations of rape against Phaltan City police station sub-inspector Gopal Badane, claiming the assaults occurred multiple times. Additionally, it mentions instances of physical and mental harassment spanning five months, attributed to Prashant Bankar, the son of the doctor’s landlord.
Adding to the family’s distress, the doctor’s cousin shared their concerns with news agency ANI, stating that there was a significant delay in conducting the post-mortem. “No one was there to perform her postmortem till 6 am” after her death, the cousin revealed. They further expressed that the authorities moved the doctor’s body from her residence to the hospital without the family’s presence, emphasizing that such procedures should ideally involve family members.
The family’s suspicions extend to the possibility of a second suicide note, as they believe the doctor meticulously documented her struggles and complaints in writing. “We believe that when her dead body was taken to the hospital, she must have left behind another suicide note. She fought hard and wrote 4-page complaint letters. She cannot die with just a little note on her palm,” the cousin added, underscoring their belief that the initial note might not represent the full extent of her distress.
In light of these serious allegations, the victim’s family is advocating for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. They specifically requested the inclusion of a female officer from outside the state, citing concerns that local police officers might attempt to influence the investigation. This demand reflects the family’s desire for an impartial and thorough inquiry.
Satara Police have taken action, arresting both Gopal Badane and Prashant Bankar in connection with the case. Sub-inspector Badane has been taken into police custody until October 30 following his production in court.
While the doctor’s family has raised allegations that she was coerced into falsifying post-mortem reports and issuing fitness certificates for accused individuals brought to the hospital, the police have presented a different narrative. Officials claim the doctor was uncooperative during these procedures, citing her reluctance to conduct pre-arrest medical examinations at night and her failure to provide fitness certificates without sufficient justification. They also added that she was often unavailable for necessary medical formalities.
Further details from police investigations suggest a prior relationship between the deceased doctor and Prashant Bankar, which reportedly soured in the weeks leading up to her death. Bankar’s sister has also come forward, alleging that the doctor proposed marriage to Prashant when their relationship rekindled during his dengue illness. She claims that after Prashant refused, the doctor resorted to persistent calls and messages, and her inclusion in the suicide note was an act of spite due to his rejection.