A woman doctor employed at a government hospital in Phaltan, Satara district, Maharashtra, was found dead in a hotel room Thursday night, apparently hanging herself. A handwritten note on her palm claimed that sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped her four times and harassed her mentally and physically over a five-month period. She also named a second officer, Prashant Bankar, for mental harassment.

Earlier Complaint Went Unaddressed

In June, the doctor sent a letter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Phaltan, naming three officers including Badane, alleging ongoing harassment and requesting investigation. Her previous complaint seemingly did not lead to any action, raising serious questions about the inaction of the police department.

“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 said. She said she was “under extreme stress, hence, requested that the serious matter be investigated and appropriate action be taken against the guilty officers”.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar reacts

In a post on X, he said, “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 lodged a complaint? The Mahayuti government repeatedly shields the police, which is leading to an increase in police atrocities”.

“Merely ordering an inquiry in this case is not enough. These police officers should be sacked from their jobs, otherwise, they could exert pressure on the investigation. Why was her earlier complaint not taken seriously? Those who ignored it and those who shielded these police officers should face action. Until action is taken against the police, police atrocities will not be curbed,” he added.

Immediate Action and Investigation

Upon receiving reports of the suicide and the allegations, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, ordered immediate suspension of the accused SI and directed strict action. The body was sent for post-mortem, and forensic analysis is underway to verify the note’s contents and establish the sequence of events. The case is being treated as both a suicide and a criminal investigation.

“We have registered a case, and the body has been sent for post-mortem. We are also investigating the allegations mentioned in the suicide note on the victim’s hand,” an official from the Satara police said.

Maharashtra Women’s Commission chief Rupali Chakankar, meanwhile, said, “We have taken cognisance of the matter and ordered Satara Police to take strict action against the accused. Teams have been deployed to hunt the accused. Those involved in this unfortunate incident will not be spared.”

Political and Women’s Commission Response

“The incident is unfortunate, I have spoken to Satara Superintendent of Police. The process to register a First Information Report is underway. One of the accused is outside Satara and a team has been formed to arrest him.. soon the accused will be arrested,” BJP Member of Legislative Council and State Women President Chitra Wagh said.

“It has also 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 added.

Further investigations

Police teams have been dispatched to locate and arrest the accused officers. The forensic and autopsy results are expected to be crucial in building a legal case. Meanwhile, the incident has highlighted systemic concerns around how complaints of sexual assault and harassment by police personnel are handled. Victim-support activists say the doctor’s extreme step reflects deep failure of institutional protections.

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