Satara, Maharashtra, October 24, 2025, A woman doctor working at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Satara district allegedly died by suicide on Thursday night. In a chilling note written on her palm, she accused two policemen of repeatedly raping and harassing her, sparking widespread outrage and official action.
According to officials, the deceased doctor wrote on her left palm that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne was responsible for her death. She alleged that he raped her four times and subjected her to both mental and physical abuse for more than five months. The note also mentioned another man, identified as Prashant Bankar, the son of her landlady, accusing him of persistent harassment.
“Police inspector Gopal Badne is the reason I died. He raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months,” the note on her hand said.
In her suicide note, the doctor reportedly stated that several police officers and a Member of Parliament (MP) with his aides had pressured her to issue fake fitness certificates for accused individuals who were never brought in for medical examination. She added that when she refused to comply, she faced harassment and intimidation.
Earlier this year, on June 19, the doctor had submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Phaltan Sub-Division. In that letter, she named Sub-Inspector Badne, Sub-Divisional Inspector Patil, and Assistant Police Inspector Ladputre, claiming she was being harassed and seeking protection. However, no significant action was reportedly taken at the time.
The doctor was found dead in her hotel room near the Phaltan hospital on the night of October 23. Her body was sent for a post-mortem examination, and a police investigation was immediately launched.
Following the emergence of her suicide note, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the immediate suspension of Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne. A special team has been set up to locate and arrest the accused. Authorities are also reviewing the earlier complaint to determine why it did not lead to preventive measures.
The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has taken cognizance of the case and has directed the Satara Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report. The Commission has also questioned the failure of the police to act on the doctor’s earlier plea for help.
Police officials have registered a case and are recording statements from colleagues, hospital staff, and local witnesses. The authorities have promised a fair and swift probe. Senior officers from the Satara police have confirmed that all aspects of the doctor’s allegations, including her prior complaint, will be thoroughly examined.
Police sub-inspector Gopal Badane, accused in the case of a woman doctor’s rape and suicide in Maharashtra’s Satara district, was arrested on Saturday evening. Earlier, Phaltan police had detained software engineer Prashant Bankar from Pune, one of the two men named in the doctor’s suicide note.
Later in the evening, Badane surrendered at the Phaltan Rural Police Station, confirmed Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi. The investigation is ongoing as officials work to piece together the events that led to the doctor’s death.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that former BJP MP Ranjitsingh Naik Nimbalkar had once pressured the doctor in the past. However, Nimbalkar has denied the accusation, calling it baseless.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)
