In the wake of a 28-year-old woman doctor’s alleged suicide in Phaltan, Maharashtra, highlighted by accusations against a suspended cop and a software engineer, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has demanded that the Bombay High Court transfer the investigation to a high-level committee, citing discrepancies in the probe and suspect handwriting in the suicide note.
Discrepancies flagged in suicide investigation
The deceased doctor, stationed at the sub-district hospital in Phaltan (in Satara district), was found hanging in a hotel room on October 23.
A suicide note written on her palm named a now-suspended police sub-inspector Gopal Badane and a software engineer Prashant Bankar (son of her landlord), alleging repeated rape by the officer and prolonged mental harassment by the engineer. Both accused have been arrested.
Speaking at a press conference, Andhare pointed to differences between the handwriting in the palm note and the doctor’s earlier complaint forms. "Looking at the discrepancies in the (two) handwritings... there is scope to call the death a murder rather than a suicide," she asserted.
She also criticised the handling of call detail records (CDRs) by the Maharashtra Women’s Commission chairperson, questioning whether the police’s investigative domain had been compromised.
The family of the doctor has rejected the suicide finding, demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a fast-track trial in Beed court, citing possible foul play and evidence tampering, according to a PTI report.
Meanwhile, the post-mortem report cited “asphyxia due to hanging” as cause of death, though investigation is still underway with her phone missing and key evidence under scrutiny.
Sushma Andhare insisted that only a high-level committee under the Bombay High Court can restore trust in the investigation, pointing to alleged suppression of complaints filed earlier by the doctor and lack of institutional response. With resident doctors across Maharashtra wearing black ribbons in protest and threats of non-cooperation looming, the case has turned into a large-scale test of accountability.
