'She can't die with just a little note': Maharashtra rape victim's family suspects another suicide note

The cousin of a woman doctor who allegedly died by suicide in Maharashtra's Satara has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe in the case, claiming that the doctor had faced “immense political and police pressure” for over a year and was forced to falsify post-mortem and fitness reports.

Speaking to ANI, the cousin claimed that she had been subjected to harassment for more than a year and was being pressed to manipulate official reports.

“She was under a lot of political and police pressure for the last year. Medical staff at the hospital are also involved. Everyone forced her to make wrong post-mortem reports and forge fitness certificates. She was being forced to perform more and more post-mortems despite other officers being present at the hospital,” the cousin said.

Raising concerns over the handling of her body, the cousin alleged procedural lapses after her death.

“When she died, there was no one to perform her post-mortem till 6 am. They brought her body from her residence to the hospital in our absence. All this should have happened in front of the family,” she said.

The cousin said they suspect that another suicide note existed, alleging that the doctor had been documenting her distress and complaints in writing.

“We believe she must have left behind another suicide note. She fought hard and wrote four-page complaint letters. She cannot die with just a little note on her palm,” the cousin said.

The family have demanded that an SIT investigation be conducted in the presence of a woman officer from outside Maharashtra, alleging that “state police officers can try to influence the investigation”.

The woman doctor died by suicide in Maharashtra's Satara on Thursday, leaving a note written on her hand that named a police official and two others, officials said.

Satara Police arrested Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and Prashant Bankar in connection with the case. A case was registered against the two under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The SI named in the note was suspended.