India

Satara Woman Doctor Ends Life Accusing Police Officer Of Rape, Harassment

Incident raises questions about Maharashtra police and the safety of women in administrative workplaces.

Credit : Indie Journal

 

The death of a junior doctor working at a government hospital in Satara’s Phaltan allegedly by suicide has opened a whole can of worms, raising questions about Maharashtra police and the safety of women in administrative workplaces. The doctor, in her suicide note written on her palm, accused Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne of raping her four times and subjected her to physical and mental abuse in the last five months. Following her death, her cousin has also come forward with allegations that the doctor was also asked to make fake autopsy and fitness reports multiple times.

The victim, originally from Beed district, was working at the sub-district hospital in Phaltan taluka for around two years. Her relatives recount that she was under tremendous pressure. On June 19, she had written to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Sub-Divisional Office, Phaltan, wherin she named two police officers of the Phaltan Rural Police Department and accused them of harassment. However, despite urging for legal action against the two, her cousin says that no action was ever taken.

 

 

Maharashtra Women's Commission chief Rupali Chakankar has taken cognisance of the matter. She said in an official tweet that the Commission has filed a complaint against the accused, Badne and the other police officer named by the doctor, Prashant Bankar under BNS 64(2)(N), 108. Satara Police have registered the complaint, however, both the accused are absconding. The Commission has also ordered the police department to probe into why the doctor was not provided any help despite her previous complaints against the accused and demanded a strict action against those responsible.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also heads the State Home Ministry, has declared the suspension of both accused. However, this is now raising the question about the wrongdoings that led to the doctor’s death in the first place. Many have taken to social media to question whether the allegations that the doctor was forced to make fake autopsy and fitness reports. Many have also questioned if there will be any inquiry into whether there was any political influence on these pressures, as reported by a Marathi newspaper.

 

 

Meanwhile, the opposition in the state has raised concerns over the law and order situation in the state. Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal tweeted, “A serious issue of law and order has arisen in Maharashtra under Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s administration. Fadnavis has, unfortunately, proven to be the most ineffective Home Minister Maharashtra has ever had. He no longer has control even over the police within his own department. In his tenure, the police, who are supposed to be protectors of the public, seem to have turned into predators. This has raised serious concerns among the common people. The Congress party will continue to pursue this matter and ensure that justice is delivered to the victim’s family.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Sushama Andhare also pointed out the harassment women working in administrative services face. “If preventive measures against sexual harassment and mental abuse of women at workplaces were implemented at the administrative level in advance, situations of such helplessness leading to suicide would not arise,” she said.

 

 

Andhare added, “In Pune, Police Inspector Vijay Mala Pawar filed a molestation complaint against BJP office-bearer Pramod Kondhare. However, following this, Pawar faced immense pressure, and even the Commissioner allegedly tried to force her to accept a transfer. Eventually, this woman was compelled to knock on the doors of the court. This incident has once again brought the issue of harassment faced by women at workplaces into sharp focus.”

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) MP Supriya Sule questioned, “What exactly is the root cause of this issue? Why was this woman’s complaint not taken into consideration? Answers to all these questions must be found. Those who abetted the woman’s suicide must be punished. I strongly urge the Chief Minister of the state to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and take strict action against the guilty persons. It is our firm stance that women working in the healthcare system, as well as every woman in the state, must be guaranteed a safe working environment.”

 

More from Author