Medical professionals across Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar united in protest on Sunday (November 2, 2025), calling for a rapid and unbiased investigation into the suspected suicide of a 28-year-old medical officer. The doctor, who served at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Satara and hailed from Beed district, was discovered deceased in a hotel room on October 22. A poignant note found on her hand explicitly named a police official and two other individuals, accusing them of harassment.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has announced a structured series of agitations, culminating in a state-wide strike scheduled for November 3 and 4. Dr. Ravi Sapkal, vice-president of BMC MARD, stated firmly, “We are committed to this fight until justice is delivered. Should the government fail to respond adequately, all remaining medical services will also be suspended.” While emergency and intensive care unit (ICU) services will continue, outpatient department (OPD) and other non-emergency duties will cease during the two-day protest.
The movement began on October 29 with doctors wearing black ribbons, followed by symbolic black tape over their mouths on October 30, representing silenced voices. Creative digital art and rangoli campaigns were held on October 31. Throughout the past weekend, MARD spearheaded a state-wide social media initiative using hashtags such as #JusticeForDoctors and #JusticeForPhaltanMO, culminating in poignant candle marches at Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India and CSMT on Sunday. Furthermore, a team of resident doctors visited the deceased’s native village on Saturday to offer condolences and assure her family of their unwavering support.
Growing Political Pressure and Demands for Reform
This deeply troubling case has ignited widespread outrage within Maharashtra’s medical community. The Satara police have since arrested Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and Prashant Bankar, charging them with rape and abetment to suicide. Badne, specifically named in the suicide note, was suspended and remanded in custody until October 30. The deceased doctor’s cousin has publicly alleged that she faced significant political pressure to tamper with post-mortem reports. Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised stringent action but drew criticism for seemingly exonerating former BJP MP Ranjeetsinh Naik Nimbalkar before a full investigation could conclude.
On Saturday, the government announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute. However, MARD is advocating for an SIT operating under judicial supervision, to be headed by a retired High Court judge and a senior female IPS officer, emphasizing the need for absolute impartiality. In its official press release, MARD presented a comprehensive list of demands, including a fast-track trial in Beed with a Special Public Prosecutor, holding negligent officials accountable under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, implementing the Health Protection Act, and establishing an Independent Medical Grievance Redressal Authority. The association also urged the creation of a state-wide mental health support system for doctors, the active implementation of POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) and Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in all hospitals, a compensation of ₹5 crore and a government job for a family member, legal protection for whistleblowers and witnesses, the preservation of CCTV footage and call records, and regular public disclosure of investigation findings. Additionally, MARD called for a state-level committee to review doctors’ working conditions and safety protocols.
MARD strongly condemned what it described as defamatory and insensitive remarks circulating in the media, including comments attributed to the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. The association stated, “Such statements are profoundly disheartening and inappropriate, particularly when directed at a deceased woman doctor who is unable to defend herself,” urging both media and public officials to uphold dignity and sensitivity in their discourse.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ambadas Danve met with MARD representatives in Mumbai on Sunday, pledging to vigorously advocate for their concerns in legislative forums. MARD declared this incident a “turning point for Maharashtra’s medical community,” emphasizing the urgent need for structural reforms to shield doctors from administrative harassment and political interference. Should their demands remain unaddressed, MARD has warned of a large-scale assembly at Azad Maidan, reiterating that while their agitation will remain peaceful, their resolve is unwavering.