Daijiworld Media Network – Satara
Satara, Oct 26: In a shocking development in Satara district, Maharashtra, police on Saturday arrested Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane and software engineer Prashant Bankar in connection with the alleged suicide of a 28-year-old woman doctor.
The victim, hailing from Beed district in Marathwada and posted at a government hospital in Satara, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town on Thursday night. A suicide note written on her palm alleged that Badane had raped her multiple times, while Bankar mentally harassed her. Following the allegations, a case of rape and abetment of suicide was registered at Phaltan police station.
Sub-Inspector Badane, who had been absconding after being named in the case, surrendered before the Phaltan Gramin police station and was taken into custody. Earlier, Bankar, the son of the landlord where the doctor resided, had been arrested and sent to police custody for four days by a Satara court. According to police, the doctor had communicated with Bankar over phone and chat prior to the incident.
Badane had earlier been suspended from service after his involvement surfaced during the investigation. The doctor was cremated in her native Wadwani tehsil in Beed district on Friday night.
Relatives of the victim have demanded capital punishment for the accused, claiming that the doctor had repeatedly complained about harassment which went unaddressed. A family member alleged that the doctor was also pressured to alter medical reports at the sub-district hospital where she was posted.
“Politicians at Phaltan often asked her to change medical reports as she was regularly on autopsy duty. Her complaints against Badane were ignored. Just apprehending the accused is not enough—they should be hanged to ensure justice,” said a relative.
Political leaders have also voiced outrage. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, highlighting the failure of women’s security. Danve wrote on X, “If people flourishing under Fadnavis are harassing women, he has failed as Home Minister and should resign.”
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas demanded that an MP allegedly pressuring the doctor be made an accused. “Investigation will reveal who the MP and aides involved in threatening her are. If found guilty, they should be included in the case, no matter their position,” said the MLA from Ashti in Beed district.
The case has sparked widespread outrage across the state, intensifying demands for stringent action against those responsible for the tragic death of the young doctor.