The shocking revelations have sparked outrage and prompted a police investigation.
A 26-year-old doctor in Maharashtra ended her life in Satara district after alleging repeated sexual assault and harassment by a police officer. In a detailed four-page suicide note, she also accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her when she refused to issue false medical certificates for accused individuals. The shocking revelations have sparked outrage and prompted a police investigation.
The doctor, who served at Phaltan sub-district hospital for 23 months, wrote that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne raped her four times and subjected her to both mental and physical abuse for over five months. She claimed police officials repeatedly pressured her to issue fitness certificates for accused individuals without proper medical examinations.
Her suicide note stated that after she refused to issue a false certificate, two personal assistants of an MP forced her to speak to him on the phone. She alleged that the MP indirectly threatened her.
Her cousin confirmed that the doctor had raised complaints multiple times. “She had raised complaints on two to three occasions. Despite writing a letter to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), no action was taken,” he told NDTV.
“In the letter, she asked that if anything happened to her, who would be responsible for it? She also flagged the lack of security at the premises, but nothing happened. She called the DSP, who said he would call her back, but no one took any action,” he added.
The doctor also mentioned harassment by her landlord, identified as Prashant Bankar, in her note. Following her death, the police registered a case against Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused police officer has been suspended.
“We are investigating the matter based on evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in the Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended,” said Sunil Phulari, Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur division).
The incident has sparked a political controversy. Congress accused the BJP-led state government of shielding police officials. Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar wrote on X, “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 complained? The Mahayuti government repeatedly shields the police, which is leading to an increase in police atrocities.”
BJP leader Chitra Wagh responded, assuring that a thorough investigation would take place. “The incident is unfortunate, I have spoken to the Satara Superintendent of Police… It has 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 said.
