28-year old Doctor Commits Suicide, Accuses Two Police officers of Raping and her Seniors for Mental Harassment
NEW DELHI, Oct 24: In a case reminiscent of the infamous rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata government hospital last year, a 28-year old lady doctor working in a government hospital in Satara district in Maharashtra allegedly committed suicide in a hotel room after accusing her seniors of mental harassment and naming two police officials of raping her repeatedly in the last five months.
A wave of horrific claims has surfaced after the incident and soon afterwards the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to the Satara Police and instructed the officers mentioned in the note, be suspended immediately. “We have registered a case, and the body has been sent for post-mortem. We are also investigating the allegations mentioned in the suicide note on the victim’s hand,” the Satara police said.
In her note found written on her palm, the doctor claimed that sub-inspector Gopal Badane had raped and sexually harassed her on multiple occasions. The note also accused another officer, Prashant Bankar, of subjecting her to mental harassment. “Police inspector Gopal Badne is the reason I died. He raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months,” the note said.
The doctor, who was working as a medical officer at Phaltan sub-district hospital, had raised similar allegations in a letter addressed to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Sub-Divisional Office, Phaltan, on June 19. In her letter to the DSP months before her suicide, the woman doctor accused two police officers of Phaltan Rural Police Department of harassment and sought legal action against them.
She named Badne, Sub-Divisional Police Inspector Patil and Assistant Police Inspector Ladputre in the letter. She said she was “under extreme stress, hence, requested that the serious matter be investigated and appropriate action be taken against the guilty officers.”
The Maharashtra Women’s Commission chief Rupali Chakankar said, “We have taken cognisance of the matter and ordered Satara Police to take strict action against the accused.”
Relatives alleged that medical officials, including the doctor, faced pressure to falsify post-mortem reports. The victim’s cousin claimed, “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.”
Her aunts said the doctor had confided in them regarding the pressure she was facing at the workplace. One aunt said, “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.” Another aunt added, “Just two days ago, she mentioned being harassed by seniors at work.”
Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi said a case has been registered against Badane and Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused sub-inspector has been suspended, and police teams are trying to locate both accused. “A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken,” Doshi told reporters.
The suicide that took place on Thursday night triggered a political row in the state on Friday. State Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar hit out at the ruling Mahayuti government over the suicide note.
“When the protector becomes the predator! The duty of the police is to protect, but if they themselves are exploiting a female doctor, how will justice be served? Why was no action taken when this girl had previously lodged a complaint? The Mahayuti government repeatedly shields the police, which is leading to an increase in police atrocities,” he said in a post on X.
“Merely ordering an inquiry in this case is not enough. These police officers should be sacked from their jobs, otherwise, they could exert pressure on the investigation. Why was her earlier complaint not taken seriously? Those who ignored it and those who shielded these police officers should face action. Until action is taken against the police, police atrocities will not be curbed,” he added.
The BJP which is a part of the ruling Mahayuti, assured of a thorough probe into the doctor’s suicide. “The incident is unfortunate, I have spoken to Satara Superintendent of Police. The process to register a First Information Report is underway. One of the accused is outside Satara and a team has been formed to arrest him, soon the accused will be arrested,” BJP Member of Legislative Council and State Women President Chitra Wagh said.
“It has also come to our notice that the doctor had raised a complaint but no action was taken. Everything will be investigated in the case… I want to appeal to all women that there is no need to take such an extreme step… Our government is ready to help. The 112 helpline should be used to register such complaints and action will be taken,” she added.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is also a part of the ruling alliance along with the Shiv Sena, also called for strict action against the accused. “It is an unfortunate incident. Teams have been sent to arrest the accused. Strictest action should be taken as there is zero tolerance policy towards atrocities against women,” NCP leader Anand Paranjape said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
