Maharashtra Doctor Suicide: Bankar Arrested as Probe Expands

In Phaltan, a town in Satara district, investigators are broadening the probe into the death of a doctor who was found dead in a hotel room after leaving a palm-written note accusing a police sub-inspector and naming two men connected to her harassment. Bankar, a software engineer and the landlord’s son, was arrested in Pune and will be produced in a Satara court. The other accused, Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane, remains at large as the search continues.

The doctor, originally from Beed district and posted at a government hospital, had lived as a paying guest at a residence in Vidyanagar, Phaltan. The note on her palm alleged that Badane raped her on multiple occasions and that Bankar subjected her to mental harassment for five months. Investigators say the two were reportedly in a relationship before it turned sour. A preliminary probe indicates there were ongoing communications between the doctor and Bankar shortly before her death.

Authorities say the case includes charges of rape and abetment of suicide. Badane was suspended after his name emerged in the inquiry. Bankar’s arrest followed reports that he was hiding near Pune before being taken into custody. The doctor’s family has raised concerns about political interference in the investigation, while police emphasize the importance of a fair and transparent process.

Medical associations and advocacy groups have joined calls for an independent, time-bound inquiry and for robust support systems for doctors under pressure. FAIMA has urged swift action, accountability for those negligent or involved, and comprehensive mental health and legal support for the family. The doctor was cremated in Beed’s Wadwani tehsil, with relatives demanding justice for what they describe as a tragedy linked to broader systemic issues in medical workplaces.

Cover image source: Maharashtra doctor suicide: Prashant Bankar, son of deceased's landlord, arrested 🔗

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