Doctor found dead in Satara, note on her palm alleges rape by police officer, assault by another man

Special IGP (Kolhapur range) Sunil Phulari said two teams are searching for the accused, and added that the sub-inspector has been suspended.

Police said the doctor, hailing from Maharashtra’s Beed district, was posted as a medical officer at a hospital in Satara’s Phaltan town. Her body was found by staff at a Phaltan hotel on Thursday night. Police said she had checked into the hotel on Wednesday.

The note on the doctor’s left palm alleges that she was raped four times by Badane and sexually assaulted and harassed by Bankar over the last five months. Bankar, police said, was the son of the owner of her rented house in Phaltan.

Police initially filed an accidental death report. Later, after a preliminary probe into the note on the palm, police booked Badane and Bankar.

A family member of the deceased doctor also alleged that she had been under police and political pressure over the last few months as she had not issued a “medically fit” certificate to some arrested persons. The doctor had even filed a complaint with the local sub divisional police officer (SDPO) in this regard. She had named three police officers including sub inspector Badane in this complaint. But officials investigating the case said the issue does not appear to be related to her death.

Officers said they are probing the phone calls and WhatsApp conversations between the doctor and the two accused persons.

Dr Yuvraj Karpe, Civil Surgeon, Satara, said: “The Deputy Director of Health, Pune, has instructed us to set up a three-member committee with a psychiatrist and others to conduct our own inquiry.” He said there were no complaints about her and that she had also not complained about anything.

Opposition leaders including Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule demanded stern action against the accused persons.

Rupali Chakankar, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said they had told the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this case.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the incident highlights the breakdown of law and order situation in the state. “The Fadnavis-led government has failed to protect women,” Sawant said.

Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde said there should be no “media trial”. “I am confident that CM Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, will ensure a thorough probe, including a detailed forensic investigation, in the case,” Munde said.

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Sushma Andhare demanded an independent SIT to investigate the case.

From the homepage

India, US start drafting trade deal; US delegation likely to visit India: Official

Ramesh and Ramesh — two friends on board Kurnool bus, only one survived

‘Lip service’: Jaishankar calls out UN as Pak shields Lashkar proxy linked to Pahalgam attack