Another Shocking Twist in Maharashtra Doctor Suicide Case: Cousin Alleges Existence of Second Note

A web of allegations and counterclaims — ranging from rape and workplace coercion to procedural lapses and political pressure — has deepened the controversy surrounding the suicide of a 29-year-old government doctor in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The case, which has shaken the state’s medical and law enforcement communities, has now taken new turns as the doctor’s family raises questions about the investigation’s integrity.

Cousin Alleges Investigation Lapses, Hints at ‘Another Suicide Note’

The doctor’s cousin has alleged serious procedural irregularities following her death, claiming the postmortem was delayed until 6 a.m. and conducted without family members present.
“When she died, there was no one to perform her postmortem till 6 a.m. They brought her body to the hospital in our absence. All this should have happened before us,” the cousin told ANI.

He also alleged that the doctor was pressured to falsify postmortem reports and issue forged fitness certificates under political and police duress. “She was under a lot of pressure for the last year. She was being forced to perform excessive postmortems even when other officers were available,” he added.

Suggesting that the doctor may have left behind another suicide note, the cousin said, “She had written multiple complaints and fought against the pressure. She couldn’t have ended her life leaving only a note on her palm.”

Accused Cop, Landlord’s Son Under Arrest

The doctor was found dead in a hotel room late Thursday night. A note written on her palm in Marathi accused Phaltan City Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Gopal Badane of raping her multiple times, and her landlord’s son, Prashant Bankar, of five months of physical and mental harassment.

Both Badane and Bankar were arrested on October 25.

Police Counter Allegations

While the family claims she was coerced to forge official medical reports, police officials have countered that the doctor was uncooperative, alleging she refused to conduct pre-arrest medical exams at night and often declared accused persons “unfit” without valid justification.
“She declined to be available for round-the-clock duties, which caused operational delays,” a senior officer said.

Earlier Complaints Named Accused Officer

Months before her death, the doctor had written to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in June 2025, detailing harassment and naming PSI Gopal Badane among those pressuring her to issue false fitness certificates for accused persons brought to the hospital.

However, police officials soon after filed a counter-complaint to the Satara Civil Surgeon, alleging that the doctor deliberately delayed custodial procedures by refusing to sign fitness documents.
When no action followed, the doctor filed an RTI appeal in August, seeking updates on her original complaint.

Clean Chit Controversy

The political dimension intensified after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave a clean chit to former BJP MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar, whose name surfaced in one of the doctor’s earlier letters — shared publicly by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve.

Danve criticized the CM’s statement, asking, “Is the chief minister himself the investigating officer? How can he declare someone innocent before the probe concludes?”

MLA Sachin Patil was also given a clean chit in connection with the case.

As investigations continue, the case has reignited debate over sexual harassment, political interference, and systemic abuse within government medical institutions — and whether justice will be served in a system many now say is complicit in silencing its own.