‘Was Raped By Cop 4 Times’: Maharashtra Doctor’s Shocking Suicide Note On Hand

Satara, Maharashtra: A woman doctor working at a hospital in Maharashtra's Satara district allegedly died by suicide and her body was recovered from a hotel room in Phaltan by police late on Thursday night.

Details of the Allegations

The police officials, who reached the hotel after being alerted by the hotel staff, found a handwritten suicide note on the victim’s palm, in which she accused a police officer — Sub-Inspector (SI) Gopal Badane and another person, Prashant Bankar — of harassment. The suicide note accuses SI Badane of raping her four times and subjecting her to “rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months”. The note explicitly states, "Police inspector Gopal Badane is the reason I died." She also alleged mental harassment by another person, Bankar, during the same period.

It is worth mentioning here that the victim had earlier approached the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Phaltan Sub-Division on June 19, raising similar allegations of misconduct against three persons and seeking an investigation. She reportedly demanded that appropriate action be taken against the accused.

Police Action and Investigation

The Satara District Police have registered a case against SI Gopal Badane and Prashant Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide.

Satara District SP Tushar Doshi said, "A woman doctor committed suicide. A note was found written on her palm naming two people, including a police official. A case has been registered against them under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused PSI has been suspended from duty. Our teams are trying to locate the two accused. A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken."

The doctor's body has been sent for post-mortem, and the handwritten note is undergoing a forensic examination.

Reaction and Demands for Justice

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the suspension of SI Gopal Badane.

The deceased's cousin demanded strict punishment, alleging "a lot of police and political pressure" on the victim, particularly regarding pressure to make "wrong mortem reports." 

He stated, "My sister should get justice," and "The accused should get the strictest of punishment."

Reacting to the incident, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol called it "a very serious and deeply unfortunate matter," asserting that "immediate action must be taken" and that “No accused must not be let off. Such an incident happening in Maharashtra is completely unacceptable.”

Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde assured a thorough investigation into the case and urged the media not to conduct a trial.

"Detailed investigation will be carried out into the case... A media trial should not be done. Justice should be served. If an educated doctor, who saves so many lives, has to go through what she went through, it is very unfortunate. Our Home Minister, the Chief Minister will take cognisance and ensure that justice is served," she said.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage and sparked concerns over women's safety across Maharashtra.