‘No Autopsy Till 6 AM’: New Twists In Maharashtra Doctor’s Suicide Case; Family Seeks SIT Probe

Doctor’s Suicide Sparks New Allegations of Fake Postmortem, Political Pressure in Maharashtra

The death of a 29-year-old government doctor in Maharashtra’s Satara district has taken several new turns, as the family of the deceased has raised fresh allegations of procedural lapses and a possible cover-up. The doctor, posted as a medical officer at a government hospital in Phaltan, was found hanging inside a hotel room in the town last week.

A suicide note, written in Marathi on her palm, alleged that Phaltan City Police Station sub-inspector Gopal Badane had raped her four times, while her landlord’s son, Prashant Bankar, had physically and mentally harassed her for several months.

However, the doctor’s cousin told ANI that the family was not informed promptly about the handling of her remains. “No one was there to perform her post-mortem till 6 a.m. They brought her dead body from her residence to the hospital in our absence. All this should have happened in front of the family members,” the cousin alleged.

The family has also claimed that the deceased may have left behind another suicide note that has yet to be recovered. “She fought hard and wrote four-page complaint letters. She cannot die with just a small note on her palm,” the cousin added, suggesting that another letter could provide crucial insight into the case.

Family demands SIT probe

The victim’s relatives have demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into her death, calling for the inclusion of a woman officer from outside Maharashtra to ensure impartiality. They allege that state police officers could influence the investigation, given the involvement of a serving sub-inspector among the accused.

Police have arrested both suspects named in the note – sub-inspector Gopal Badane and software engineer Prashant Bankar. Badane was produced before the Additional District and Sessions Court in Phaltan and remanded to police custody till 30 October.

What did the police say?

In response to the family’s accusations, police officials have claimed that the doctor often refused to cooperate with authorities. According to them, she was reluctant to conduct night-time medical examinations and often declared accused persons “unfit” without adequate grounds.

Investigators have also hinted at a possible personal dispute between the doctor and Bankar. Police sources said the two had been in a relationship for several months, which reportedly turned bitter shortly before her death.

Bankar’s sister alleged that the doctor had recently proposed marriage to him after they reconnected while he was recovering from dengue. When he refused, she claimed, the doctor became upset and began contacting him repeatedly. 

She further alleged that the doctor mentioned Prashant’s name in her suicide note out of emotional distress.