A shocking case has emerged from Satara, Maharashtra, where a 29-year-old doctor has died by suicide. Authorities confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with her death, identified as Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, and Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane. The doctor, who served at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, was discovered deceased in her hotel room on Thursday.
According to a suicide note found written on her hand, the doctor explicitly accused Bankar of mental harassment and Badane of sexual assault. Bankar, reportedly the son of the doctor’s landlord, was apprehended near Pune on Friday night. Sub-Inspector Badane was taken into custody after surrendering at the Phaltan Rural Police Station.
Initial police reports indicate that the doctor and Bankar were in a relationship prior to her passing. The case has ignited public outrage across Maharashtra following the surfacing of the suicide note. It has also come to light that the doctor had previously lodged complaints with the police administration, alleging coercion from police officials and a Member of Parliament. She claimed she was pressured to manipulate medical records and autopsy reports to facilitate the custody of suspects in various cases.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called the doctor’s death “deeply tragic” and vowed the strictest punishment for those responsible. He also confirmed that the involved police officers have been suspended. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have pointed fingers at former BJP MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar, alleging his involvement in pressuring the doctor. Nimbalkar has, however, vehemently denied these accusations as baseless.
Further investigations have revealed that the doctor and Bankar had a close relationship for several months, which reportedly deteriorated recently. A senior police officer noted that call records and chats indicated possessiveness from the doctor’s side, leading to frequent arguments as Bankar began to distance himself. Bankar’s sister corroborated this, stating they had reconnected recently when the doctor treated Bankar for dengue. She mentioned that the doctor had made numerous calls to Bankar the day before her suicide and that relevant call and message screenshots have been provided to the police.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the alleged coercion and political connections mentioned in the doctor’s complaint.