Satara doctor suicide: Police search for accused cop’s cellphone; postmortem report says asphyxia due to hanging caused death

An FIR was lodged at Phaltan City police station under Satara police against Badane and Bankar, both of whom have been arrested under BNS sections 108, 64 (2). A native of Beed district, the doctor was staying as a tenant in a house owned by Bankar’s father in Phaltan, the probe has revealed.

“A court in Satara has extended Bankar’s custody by two days after we sought an extension. Meanwhile, we have also received the post-mortem report of the doctor, which states that death occurred because of asphyxia due to hanging. We suspect Badane has concealed his cellphone. We are searching for it. We are questioning him about the location of the phone. We will also be probing any digital leads about the location of the phone, if there are any,” said a senior officer from Satara district police.

“As part of the probe we are trying establish the sequence of events leading to the death, which was a case of suicide, as all the evidence till now suggests,” the officer said.

Earlier on Sunday, a court in Satara had remanded suspended Badane in police custody till October 30 for further investigation. A day before, Bankar was remanded in police custody till October 28 by the court. Both accused have denied allegations against them. Police said they are probing the phone calls and WhatsApp conversations between the deceased and the two accused persons.