Maharashtra: Woman doctor dies by suicide, alleges sexual assault by cops in suicide note on her palm
PTC News Desk: In a shocking incident, a women doctor who worked at a government-run hospital in Maharashtra's Satara district died by suicide. The victim left a suicide note written on her hand citing repeated sexual abuse by police officers in past five months.
The woman doctor on her suicide note accused SI Gopal Badne of subjecting her to both mental and physical abuse over a period of five months, eventually driving her take such a drastic step.
The police took the body into the custody and sent for post-mortem. The forensic analyses of the suicide note written on hand has also been initiated.
No official statement has yet been released by the police officers named in the note, nor has there been a formal response from the department regarding the specific allegations.
Besides the note on her palm, the victim reportedly raised similar allegations in a letter addressed to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Sub-Divisional Office, Phaltan, on June 19.
"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 on the victim's palm said.
Meanwhile, State Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar hit out at the ruling Mahayuti government over the suicide note.
"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," he said in a post on X.
"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.
The BJP, who is part of the ruling alliance, assured thorough investigation and strict action against the accused.
"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.
- PTC NEWS
