'The pressure was unbearable..': The shocking suicide of Maharashtra doctor who died by suicide after rape by cop

A young doctor from Phaltan in Maharashtra’s Satara district has died by suicide, leaving behind a four-page note that reveals a web of shocking allegations.

In her letter, the 26-year-old accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her after she refused to issue a false medical certificate. She also alleged that she was raped several times by a police officer and harassed by her landlord, in a note written on her palm.

The doctor’s body was allegedly found hanging in a hotel room on Thursday night.

The incident has now sparked outrage across Maharashtra and ignited a political storm, with the opposition accusing the BJP-led state government of protecting those in power instead of ensuring justice.

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Here’s what we know so far about the tragic case and what the doctor’s note has brought to light.

‘Raped, harassed multiple times’

The 26-year-old doctor, who worked as a medical officer at the Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara, accused a police officer of repeatedly raping and abusing her.

In a note on her palm, she wrote that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne had raped her four times and subjected her to months of physical and mental torture. She also named her landlord, Prashant Bankar, alleging that he harassed her mentally, reports News18.

💔 #UPDATE
Revealing The TRUTH
A Shocking Betrayal of a Young Doctor in #Maharashtra

A 26-year-old woman doctor from Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, Satara, who had dedicated her life to public service, died by suicide.
leaving behind a 4-page letter and a chilling message… pic.twitter.com/R6jFrxmaJg

— Indian Doctor🇮🇳 (@Indian__doctor) October 24, 2025

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The note indicates that the harassment had been ongoing for several months and was linked to tensions between the police and the health department over a medical examination case.

“She told us repeatedly that the pressure was unbearable… that she might end her life," her uncle told News18, his voice trembling with anger and grief.

The young doctor had been serving at the hospital for nearly two years on a contractual basis and was just one month away from completing her rural bond service. After that, she reportedly planned to pursue her postgraduate medical studies.

Following her death, the police registered a case against Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and officer Prashant Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. Badne has been suspended.

“We are investigating the matter based on the evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in the Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended,” Sunil Phulari, Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur division), told PTI.

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."

Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case: Why doctors in India are in urgent need for a central protection law

‘Pressured to make fake medical certificates’

In her suicide note, the young doctor revealed that she was repeatedly pressured to issue fake medical fitness certificates for people arrested by the police, often without conducting any medical examination.

According to NDTV, the note mentioned that when she refused to issue “medically fit” certificates, she began facing mounting pressure from Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and certain political figures.

Recalling one particular incident, she wrote that after refusing to make a false certificate, two personal assistants of a Member of Parliament entered the hospital, made her speak to the MP over the phone, and that he threatened her indirectly.

Her cousin also told NDTV that she had been under similar pressure to falsify post-mortem reports. “They were also pressuring my sister to prepare fit/unfit reports of the patients without bringing patients to the hospital,” he alleged.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | On Satara woman doctor's death allegedly by suicide, her cousin brother says, "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice." pic.twitter.com/kikMmCnEiI

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025

Family members said she had tried to seek help but received no support from senior authorities. “She had raised complaints on two to three occasions. Despite writing a letter to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), no action was taken,” her cousin said.

“In the letter, she asked who would be responsible if anything happened to her. She also mentioned the lack of security at her workplace. She had even called the DSP, who said he would call her back, but no one ever did,” he added.

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Political uproar

The tragic death of the young doctor has triggered a major political storm in Maharashtra, with the opposition Congress accusing the BJP-led state government of protecting the accused officials.

“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,” Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar wrote on X.

Responding to the allegations, BJP leader Chitra Wagh said a detailed investigation was underway.

“The incident is unfortunate. I have spoken to the Satara Superintendent of Police… It has 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,” Wagh said.

With input from agencies