Police sub-inspector Gopal Badane and software engineer Prashant Bankar were arrested in connection with the alleged suicide of a woman government doctor in Phaltan town, Satara district, Maharashtra. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns over harassment and abuse of power by authorities.

Arrests follow suicide allegation

On Saturday, PSI Badane, who was named in the doctor’s suicide note, surrendered at the Phaltan Rural Police Station, following the arrest of Prashant Bankar earlier that morning in Pune. Bankar, accused of mentally harassing the victim, was produced before a Satara district court, which sent him to police custody for four days.

The victim, a doctor from Beed district in Marathwada, posted at a government hospital in Satara, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan on Thursday night. In a suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that PSI Badane raped her multiple times, while Bankar allegedly subjected her to sustained mental harassment.

A case has been registered under charges of rape and abetment of suicide against both accused. Following the allegations, Badane was suspended from service.

Family recounts harassment and unaddressed grievances

The doctor’s relatives stated that she had repeatedly complained about harassment, but her grievances were ignored. According to them, she faced undue pressure from political figures in Phaltan to alter medical reports while performing autopsy duties.

“Political people in Phaltan often asked her to change medical reports, as she used to be regularly on post-mortem duty. She had complained multiple times against the PSI, but her complaints were not looked into,” said a relative.

Her two cousins, also doctors, alleged that the hospital administration deliberately assigned her post-mortem duties to harass her. The victim reportedly aspired to pursue an MD (Doctor of Medicine) after completing her MBBS, but had been facing obstacles. Her uncle revealed that a loan of Rs 3 lakh for her MBBS course was still unpaid.

“Her father is a farmer and not educated. She wanted to pursue higher studies in medicine, possibly ENT or non-clinical branches. I guided her for her education in Beed,” he added.

Political reactions and demands

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas demanded that the Member of Parliament allegedly involved in pressuring the woman doctor be made an accused in the case, though he did not name any leader.

The tragic death has triggered calls from the family for the death penalty for the accused. Authorities are investigating the role of both Badane and Bankar in the case, with special focus on harassment and abuse of power allegations.

Background of the victim

The woman doctor hailed from Wadwani tehsil in Beed and had been posted in Satara for government medical service. She was found dead in a hotel room where she had been staying temporarily. Investigations are ongoing, with police reviewing her prior complaints and interactions with the accused.

This case has reignited debates on the safety of women professionals, the accountability of law enforcement officers, and the need for strict action against perpetrators of harassment.